I waited for Michael Sam to be assigned a team prior to sharing my thoughts on the topic.
My main reason was because I found my thoughts were ever evolving. So many different dynamics make up the Michael Sam story which admittedly I had a difficult time organizing.
I figured once he was drafted, one chapter would close before the book really gets good.
Let me make my position clear at the very beginning of this piece to avoid assumptions or misinterpretation.
I am a supporter of Michael Sam. I support his quest to be the first openly gay football player to make an NFL roster. I also support Sam using his platform to bring awareness and equality to the gay and lesbian community.
I, however, separate Michael Sam the pioneer from Michael Sam the football player. When Sam disclosed his sexuality to the public on February 9, 2014, from a football standpoint, I had two immediate questions.
Would the existing players in the league be accepting of a gay man? Would Michael Sam be drafted?
There is no doubt the NFL felt pressure to draft Sam. By the “NFL” I am referring to the league and not the individual teams within the league.
Teams are interested in drafting players who will help them win well before drafting as an act of equality. Sounds elementary, however in the case of Sam, it presents the NFL with a rather intricate conundrum.
Teams ponder the negative impact an openly gay teammate may have on team chemistry. All the while acknowledging the media frenzy that will invade their space and surround their team despite how temporary the media circus may be.
The bigger question to me was the order in which teams would choose to evaluate Sam.
Would it be Michael Sam, the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, who is evaluated first? Or would it be Michael Sam’s sexuality that got graded before his on-field play?
The answer is evident with Sam being selected in the 7th round by the St. Louis Rams.
In a recent discussion, I listened as a respected professional in the field of sports journalism stated that Sam’s total number of sacks in 2013 was misleading due to the fact that 9 of the 11.5 sacks came in only 3 games.
Really? Nine sacks in 3 games is misleading how exactly?
His argument was due to the dramatic inconsistency in production, Sam could not be considered a “legitimate” draft pick.
I can take his argument to the opposite extreme.
Nine sacks over the course of 3 games is extremely high production and very hard to do. Sam had 3 sacks against Arkansas State then came back the following week with 3 more sacks against Vanderbilt.
Sam and the Tigers then traveled to Athens to take on the University of Georgia where Sam had one tackle and no sacks. He followed that dismal performance up with 3 more sacks against the Florida Gators.
When television personalities, or professionals, minimize key on-field data like sack total and tackles for loss, they give legitimacy and credibility to Sam’s fall in the draft.
It is a clever way to sway those with a high opinion regarding Sam’s sexuality but limited knowledge of the game.
For those who tune into sports talk to gain insight, that perspective will be plenty enough reason to make Sam’s fall in the draft seem logical.
No matter how you toss it up, flip it, or rub it down, it is a fact, that 9 sacks in 3 games is impressive, at any level.
I will be the first to admit that inadequate straight line speed, poor change of direction and questionable strength are all very valid reasons to drop in the NFL draft.
To say Sam had below average showings at both the NFL Combine and at his pro day would be a compliment. Sam was terrible, showing no burst and struggling to display strength.
Was Michael Sam slated to be a first day pick? No. Was Sam high on team’s draft boards? No. Was Sam expected to come in, start day one and turn a struggling defense around? No.
But please DO NOT speak “measurables” to me as being the reason behind Sam’s 7th round selection, because that’s insulting.
Don’t tell me Sam dropped because he is considered a Special Teams guy who will only be used as a situational pass rusher, because that’s insulting to.
Lets get this straight. What I’m expected to believe is that a young man who was a 2013 Consensus All-American, who had 19 tackles for loss and ended the season with 11.5 sacks was drafted in the 7th round because his performance during drills was subpar? That’s bullshit.
For Sam who shared SEC Co-Defensive Player of the year honors in what many would argue is college football’s most competitive conference, to be 7 picks away from becoming “Mr. Irrelevant” and 8 picks away from not being drafted all together disturbs me.
What’s even more baffling is the fact that Sam shared Co-Defensive Player of the year honors with former Alabama product and 2014 Baltimore Raven 1st round pick, CJ Mosley.
There is no doubt in my mind the Rams planned to draft Sam with pick #249. Drafting Sam in the 7th round is very low risk and high reward. It would allow the Rams to take Sam for a test drive, so to speak.
Sam played college ball in the state of Missouri. Giving Sam the opportunity to begin his professional career in state is a very good look from a marketing standpoint. There is minimal financial risk as there is nothing guaranteed but a small signing bonus.
If Sam shakes out to be a tenacious pass rusher and special team’s ace, the Rams come across as genius for getting a late round steal and courageous for their willingness to take on such a high profile and sensitive set of circumstances.
If the presence of a gay man disturbs the chemistry of the team, the Rams can cut Sam and justify it referencing Sam’s poor pre-draft workouts. The “Shield” then takes no hits keeping any homophobic accusations at bay.
It’s almost like the dad who prides himself on having a contact list that resembles the United Nations however frowns upon his child dating outside their race.
Meanwhile, dad can always refer to his diverse group of friends as assurance that he would never dislike your interest due to race.
Once a person, place, or thing that is “different” gets too close to home, it is frowned upon, rejected and shunned.
I couldn’t help but notice how uncomfortable and squirmy an otherwise confident St. Louis Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher looked during the Rams press conference following the drafting of Sam.
Fisher exudes confidence and is very polished when dealing with the media. What I saw was an unsure Fisher who consistently struggled to find the proper words to articulate his thoughts.
With that said, I’m willing to give Coach Fisher the benefit of the doubt. This is a huge step forward for this country, forget football, in which Fisher will always be associated.
Fisher must choose his words wisely.
The residual effects of one politically incorrect word or statement will be damaging to both the St. Louis Rams and the National Football League.
I respect the NFL for welcoming Sam into the league and the St. Louis Rams for welcoming Sam to their organization.
Welcoming is much different than accepting however.
Acceptance is to say, “You’re one of us.” To welcome, is to say, “Hi, thanks for coming.”
To accept is much more personal while welcoming is distant and vague.
Being an African-American male, racist statements, words and undertones pop up periodically. It’s expected and you deal with them on a case by case basis. That’s easy.
I can only imagine how a homosexual black male involved in an interracial relationship while being a public figure will be treated.
From a football standpoint, rookie hazing, the grind of a longer football season, the behind-your-back chatter and the sheer talent level playing football as a professional are dynamics all rookies must adjust too.
Sam will be no different. Sam will experience all of that and then some. Players not wanting to shower while Sam showers. Players talking to social media to communicate thoughts and opinions is to be expected.
Sam must separate the trials and tribulations he faces being the first open homosexual to play under the “Shield” from his job. Sam must be able to compartmentalize and focus on the task at hand which is earning a NFL roster spot.
Unfortunately, the close minded individual who believes that only those who look like them and sound like them are equal to them make up the majority of this country. Michael Sam being drafted in the 7th round is a microcosm of just that.
The support of superstars like Magic Johnson, Ellen DeGeneres, even President Barack Obama will hold no significance if the players in that locker room don’t share those same sentiments.
The NFL cannot be held accountable for the scrutiny Sam will undoubtedly face.
The NFL can regulate and discipline those associated with the league for issues viewed as improper, but understand, negative thoughts, views, and opinions were instilled way before anyone became associated with the league.
The NFL can fine for ignorance but can’t fix ignorance.
Ask the NBA.