May 12, 2014
Top News Today
On Saturday, former University of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam was drafted by the St. Louis Rams, effectively making him the first professional football player to openly profess his homosexuality. When Sam was selected by the Rams, he first broke into tears, then grabbed his boyfriend and kissed him in an emotional moment that has become an online sensation.
Some of the public reaction was celebratory:
So proud of the @STLouisRams for showing there’s nothing to be afraid of. Congratulations, @MikeSamFootball.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 11, 2014
However, photos of Sam sharing a kiss with his boyfriend brought out a virtual army of homophobes, similar to how a picnic brings out a colony of ants:
@STLouisRams will be nothing but a platform for @MikeSamFootball to push his proud fag sin. Here’s new Rams sign! pic.twitter.com/jZDkEMdbCF
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSays) May 11, 2014
That’s so disgusting that ESPN showed Michael Sam kissing another dude on TV. It’s not even right. Shame on you, @espn
— Red Sox Nation (@NYDirtRoadKid) May 10, 2014
The comments against Sam didn’t stop there.
Surprisingly, gay blogs and websites were buzzing all weekend over Sam’s choice from the dating pool, openly wondering why the ruggedly handsome (and now filthy rich) Michael Sam would choose such a plain-Jane “twink” of a boyfriend. Even the black community weighed in, pointing out how the African-American Sam has followed statistics and settled for an “ugly white boy.”
Despite the success NBA player Jason Collins had in coming out as gay, Michael Sams seems poised to face a much more difficult road ahead. Is it because Sam is part of the rough and tumble last bastion of masculinity known as football, whereas Collins is part of the finesse sport of basketball? Is it because Sam immediately threw his gay partner into the limelight with an intimate kiss, whereas Collins has kept his sexual life and dating partners secure and private? Or is this simply a case of homophobia, gay jealousy and racist opinion all wrapped into one?
Out of the 4 major professional sports (Baseball, Football, Basketball and Hockey), 2 of the 4 sports now have an openly gay player. Interestingly, of those 2 openly gay pro players, both of them are African-American.
Michael Sam has now become an important part of history. What do you think about his rise in professional football, his being the 1st openly gay NFL player, and his choice in boyfriends?
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He's been drafted. Now he must go all out to actually make the team.
But I agree with you DJ. He certainly faces "a much more difficult road ahead" than Jason Collins. And he does so, for the very reasons you've considered:
1. "because Sam is part of the rough and tumble last bastion of masculinity known as football, whereas Collins is part of the finesse sport of basketball…"
2. "because Sam immediately threw his gay partner into the limelight with an intimate kiss, whereas Collins has kept his sexual life and dating partners secure and private…."
3. And "because of homophobia, gay jealousy and racist opinion all wrapped into one…"
But if Sams is smart (and he appears to be) he's been readying himself for all possible fallout since BEFORE taking the brave step to *Out* himself.