SEC defensive POY comes out of the closet

[Black Diamond Vol]

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10429030/michael-sam-missouri-tigers-says-gay&ex_cid=sportscenter

[Tnphil]

Did he play Tight end? 

[PirateVOL]

Did he play Tight end? 

No, but he covered the TE ...

[midtnvol]

No, but he covered the TE ...

That's what they call a BJ....(Bad Joke)

[GreggO]

               (   )         

[Tnphil]

I hear the Packers are interest

[GreggO]

I hear the Packers are interest

The cheese heads???                                                                       smegma

[Volznut]

Groaning at these jokes. Bad, really bad.ing

Unfortunately this will cost him in the draft. The NFL is ok with drafting felons and thugs, but an openly gay man? That's crazy talk, he's likely to rape someone in the showers.

[VOLMAN]

everyone who is gay would announce themselves all on the same day and get it over with, since it appears they must tell us because of course we need to know every detail of their lives or our lives will not be complete, the trickling of the "news" has become annoying IMO. 

[Creek Walker]

Groaning at these jokes. Bad, really bad.ing

Unfortunately this will cost him in the draft. The NFL is ok with drafting felons and thugs, but an openly gay man? That's crazy talk, he's likely to rape someone in the showers.

He chose to use his lifestyle preference as a political platform, so I'm guessing he feels the benefits of that are worth any repercussion he suffers in terms of reduced draft status. I mean, I'm guessing it's a safe bet to say that he weighed the pros and cons before making his statement.

[murfvol]

I'll be fascinated by info such as this the day I am intrigued by an OLB prospect stating he has Biblically known half the Kappa Delta house. Today is apparently not that day, and tomorrow isn't looking promising.

[Screaming Eagle Dad]

Did he play Tight end? 

I think he was a wide receiver.

[Clockwork Orange]

I mean, I'm guessing it's a safe bet to say that he weighed the pros and cons before making his statement.

I'd say this is true, but

He chose to use his lifestyle preference as a political platform,

I think this is rubbish. It was going to become a story-- people knew, scouts from teams had already found out-- and he just chose to control when and how it came out. I don't blame him at all, and it is big news.

Assuming he's an NFL-quality player I hope things work out for him. Some will be turned off and his stock may slip, but someone will take him as long as he has the qualities they're looking for.

[PirateVOL]

It was going to become a story-- people knew, scouts from teams had already found out-- and he just chose to control when and how it came out. I don't blame him at all, and it is big news.

Assuming he's an NFL-quality player I hope things work out for him. Some will be turned off and his stock may slip, but someone will take him as long as he has the qualities they're looking for.

Agree

Frankly, I could care less.

[VOLveeta]

Sometimes you have to scream from the mountaintops before your normal is everyone's normal... coming out of the closet isn't forcing anything down anyone's throat.  It's a way of saying, I'm this way, I am proud of it and it's time for society to stop pretending like the way he was born is "unique".  Until we consider homosexuals as common (which they are) as any other "kind of human being" it will require people to speak up and say, "you already know me and I'm what I am and I'm proud as shizzle of it". 

Being a proud homosexual is like being a proud Christian... talking about it turns some people off and THAT is why you should never hide who you are.  Speak up until everyone literally responds with... "So?"

[Creek Walker]

Sometimes you have to scream from the mountaintops before your normal is everyone's normal... coming out of the closet isn't forcing anything down anyone's throat.  It's a way of saying, I'm this way, I am proud of it and it's time for society to stop pretending like the way he was born is "unique".  Until we consider homosexuals as common (which they are) as any other "kind of human being" it will require people to speak up and say, "you already know me and I'm what I am and I'm proud as shizzle of it". 

Being a proud homosexual is like being a proud Christian... talking about it turns some people off and THAT is why you should never hide who you are.  Speak up until everyone literally responds with... "So?"

Isn't releasing an official statement or holding a press conference to state your choice of being gay essentially saying that it's unique?

[VOLveeta]

Isn't releasing an official statement or holding a press conference to state your choice of being gay essentially saying that it's unique?

I suppose it could.  What I would prefer it means is that now it might seem "brave" and soon, hopefully, it's redundant and as irrelevant as hair color.  I believe wholeheartedly that one's sexuality is determined at birth, not by choice, and that it's more than sexuality, it goes far beyond that... hopefully one day, we will accept everyone for exactly whom they are and we don't waste breath on caring about whom they prefer to live their lives with.  This particular heterosexual did a horrible job in the stewardship of the honor or marriage therefore I don't feel I have any right to tell anyone else they cannot marry.  I also believe 100% that God doesn't care whom you love.

[Jedi Master]

Sometimes you have to scream from the mountaintops before your normal is everyone's normal... coming out of the closet isn't forcing anything down anyone's throat.  It's a way of saying, I'm this way, I am proud of it and it's time for society to stop pretending like the way he was born is "unique".  Until we consider homosexuals as common (which they are) as any other "kind of human being" it will require people to speak up and say, "you already know me and I'm what I am and I'm proud as shizzle of it".

Being a proud homosexual is like being a proud Christian... talking about it turns some people off and THAT is why you should never hide who you are.  Speak up until everyone literally responds with... "So?"

What I don't understand, is why do homosexuals feel compelled to express their sexuality publicly?  You don't often see heterosexuals proclaiming their sexuality.  If you talk with heterosexuals, their sexuality isn't typically a hot-button topic in their lives.  But for many homosexuals, it seems to be.   As a heterosexual, I don't feel "proud" that I am heterosexual, and so I don't feel the need to express it publicly.  Is the expression of their sexuality some sort of a coping mechanism for homosexuals?

[VOLveeta]

What I don't understand, is why do homosexuals feel compelled to express their sexuality publicly?  You don't often see heterosexuals proclaiming their sexuality.  If you talk with heterosexuals, their sexuality isn't typically a hot-button topic in their lives.  But for many homosexuals, it seems to be.   As a heterosexual, I don't feel "proud" that I am heterosexual, and so I don't feel the need to express it publicly.  Is the expression of their sexuality some sort of a coping mechanism for homosexuals?

Maybe because no one has forced you to feel like your sexuality matters.  I don't think homosexuals give a rat's azz what you do in the bedroom.  For some reason some heteros DO care what homosexuals do in their bedroom.  The homos don't care, the hetero's think it's their business?

[Creek Walker]

I'm not going to debate the merits of the homosexuality as a trait theory or what the Bible says about it since this isn't the political forum. But I will say that there aren't many people who care less about what people choose to do with their lives than me. My views put me at odds with some conservatives in my inner circle. I routinely argue with fellow Christians who say the church should actively engage in anti-homosexuality campaigns or that someone who is openly gay shouldn't be allowed to attend services. A couple of years ago we had a high school coach here who was railroaded by some members of the community because of her sexual preferences. She wound up having to resign as a result. When I spoke out in defense of her, I gained a few enemies who still won't speak to me even now. But when I see big productions being made out of someone's decision to "come out," to me that contradicts the LGBT movement's stated purpose of just gaining acceptance. For the most part, gays already have acceptance. There are exceptions, certainly (the one in my hometown is a prime example), but those can be dealt with. Certainly they're just that -- exceptions -- and not the norm any longer. Yet, the organizations that are the face of the LGBT lifestyle in America, such as GLAAD, have taken it beyond acceptance. Their goal is to eradicate any disagreement with the lifestyle and shun those from society who make their contradictory feelings known on the issue. There's a fundamental difference between acceptance and agreement, and that should be okay. Thanks to these organizations like GLAAD, the LGBT movement has gone from being one of acceptance police to now being thought police. Maybe the Michael Sam "coming out" isn't an example of that; maybe he is as honest as he can be when he says he just wanted to control what was being said about him. But I know how these things have been timed and orchestrated by GLAAD in the past and I can't help but be a little skeptical.

[VOLveeta]

I'm not going to debate the merits of the homosexuality as a trait theory or what the Bible says about it since this isn't the political forum. But I will say that there aren't many people who care less about what people choose to do with their lives than me. My views put me at odds with some conservatives in my inner circle. I routinely argue with fellow Christians who say the church should actively engage in anti-homosexuality campaigns or that someone who is openly gay shouldn't be allowed to attend services. A couple of years ago we had a high school coach here who was railroaded by some members of the community because of her sexual preferences. She wound up having to resign as a result. When I spoke out in defense of her, I gained a few enemies who still won't speak to me even now. But when I see big productions being made out of someone's decision to "come out," to me that contradicts the LGBT movement's stated purpose of just gaining acceptance. For the most part, gays already have acceptance. There are exceptions, certainly (the one in my hometown is a prime example), but those can be dealt with. Certainly they're just that -- exceptions -- and not the norm any longer. Yet, the organizations that are the face of the LGBT lifestyle in America, such as GLAAD, have taken it beyond acceptance. Their goal is to eradicate any disagreement with the lifestyle and shun those from society who make their contradictory feelings known on the issue. There's a fundamental difference between acceptance and agreement, and that should be okay. Thanks to these organizations like GLAAD, the LGBT movement has gone from being one of acceptance police to now being thought police. Maybe the Michael Sam "coming out" isn't an example of that; maybe he is as honest as he can be when he says he just wanted to control what was being said about him. But I know how these things have been timed and orchestrated by GLAAD in the past and I can't help but be a little skeptical.

Good comments my friend.  I too have been marginalized because I support my friends.  I know for a fact that they had no direct power over whom they were born to be.  They just are who they are the same way I am who I am.  There is nothing easy or fun about being gay.  It's a tough road.  Look, I don't like to think about their "bidness" in the same way I don't want to think about ugly fat hetero's and their business.  I just believe in a free society and the right to be free from judgement in our own homes.  I have hundreds of gay friends, many of whom have done more honor to monogamy and their "partner" than I ever did.  My marriage failed after only six years so I have no claim to better stewardship of the honor.  I love and honor my gay friends and I will fight to the death for their right to the same advantages we straight folks have.  Until they have that, they have to fight hard and sometimes that means speaking out in ways we may not necessarily like.

[Black Diamond Vol]

Before yesterday's announcement, Sam had a "mid to late round" draft grade.  That could be anywhere from rounds 3-7. So assuming he's drafted at all, it will be hard to tell if this has affected his placement.  But if it DOES, I don't think it will be for nefarious reasons.  There may be a couple lunkheads in any locker room, but for the most part, I think today's players deserve a little more credit than that.  You see how his teammates accepted him at Mizzou, so why would the NFL be any different?  No, if he does drop in the draft because of this, I believe it will be because of the "Tebow Effect".  What team is going to want to deal with the huge media crush and the extra attention, all for a player that apparently is considered pretty average anyway?  

In looking at this discussion on the national sites, there is an interesting dynamic going on.  The "Big deal, who cares" crowd (of which I consider myself one) is mostly being shouted down as hateful and homophobic.  But IMO, it's just the opposite.  If the guy can contribute to an NFL team, I believe he deserves every chance to earn a living in football, and his sexual orientation shouldn't even enter the discussion.  And isn't that the stated goal of the LGBT?  Heck, I'll bet Sam himself would want that.  But I think that in regards to his football career, all this extra attention is going to hurt him more than help.  

[GreggO]

Wow! This has expanded way farther than I would have thought after a few guys were joking a bit. And, I really don't understand the hoopla either way. That said, here goes:

I have two children; my daughter is the product of my loins and my son is not blood related - he's been mine for 23 of his 31 years. My daughter is gay and her brother is straight and married. I tried to teach my kids that despite the current trend in society, there is nothing wrong with being prejudice and judgemental with someone who is dishonest, a thief, a liar, a drug-head, a bigot, anyone who curses God, one who is cruel to animals or anyone who appears to believe they are more important than YOU! I wanted them to have a sense of who they are and accept that and I told them I would as well as long as they kept their morals intact. (You show me a father that doesn't care who his daughter dates or have an opinion.) I wanted them to accept the morals I tried to teach.

As far as having a gay daughter, she felt the urge to "come out" (as if we didn't know) after family had a vacation in Key West and jokes were flying about what was seen on the street. She was sensitive about the jokes thinking we had no idea. Wrong: you're in our family and you are a target for laughs from time to time. She's good; we don't go overboard.

Enough of my family. But just don't tell me we need equal rights. Doesn't matter if I'm straight or not, I can't marry another man just as gays can't....... pretty equal. I DO believe gay couples should be able to receive SS benefits, retirement benefits and everyother benifit that married couples enjoy by CONTRACT and I believe a Will (plus some legislation) should do. But, our Constitution gaurantees equal rights and so it is.

I am so beyound fortunate that I come from an extremely close family and we can "dog" each other and have fun. As far as those that get torqued-up either way, oh well.

G

I guess my point is that if this man is someone of good character, that's all I care about. 

[volmeister]

"coming out of the closet isn't forcing anything down anyone's throat."

LOL!

[Volznut]

1 - It's not his choice to be gay any more than it is a heterosexual's choice to be straight.

2 - NFL scouts have already said it will affect his status in the draft.