Prospect Michael Sam Says He's Gay

[Tenshot13]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/09/draft-prospect-michael-sam-comes-out-as-gay/

Was co-winner of the defensive player of the year in the SEC and a projected third rounder.  It was only a matter of time before a gay athlete came out in football, and not after they retired either.

[fyo]

projected third rounder. 

His draft grade seems to be all over the place. Everything from 3rd to 7th round.

Modified to add:

SI.com is reporting that it talked to "eight NFL executives and coaches", who all said that his coming out will hurt his draft position.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20140209/michael-sam-draft-stock

[CF DolFan]

^^^^ I would think it would. Not because most people care if he is gay or not but why risk the distraction? It's hard enough trying to play in this league without having to deal with added stress and publicity.

Besides it doesn't look like he was an obvious choice coming in.

Before his announcement, Sam had already emerged as a divisive prospect. Some look at his SEC-best 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss and see a high-motor pass rusher who could go as high as the third round. Others see Sam, who is 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, as an undersized defensive end without a true position in the NFL. Of his 11.5 sacks, nine came in three games against what one scout called "garbage competition" -- Vanderbilt, Arkansas State and Florida. "His numbers are inflated," a scout said. "You've got to see through that."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20140209/michael-sam-draft-stock/#ixzz2svn2JGYs

[Landshark]

By coming out now, he puts himself in the spotlight and forces teams to consider him.  If he doesn't get drafted, chances are he'll file suit for discrimination.

A brilliant move on his part

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

^^^

Bullshit.  As a purported professor, you should be aware that employers can't ask questions regarding sexuality.  But an applicant unsolicited volunteering information that would be an otherwise illegal question does not give rise to a discrimination case if the employee is not hired.

Absent a GM/owner/coach publicly stating, "we decided not to go with Michael Sam because he is gay" he has no lawsuit.

[Landshark]

^^^

Bullshit.  As a purported professor, you should be aware that employers can't ask questions regarding sexuality.  But an applicant unsolicited volunteering information that would be an otherwise illegal question does not give rise to a discrimination case if the employee is not hired.

Absent a GM/owner/coach publicly stating, "we decided not to go with Michael Sam because he is gay" he has no lawsuit.

I'm very aware of this. I'm also aware of the court of public opinion.  Let's assume he doesn't get drafted then sues the league for discrimination.  The public and the media will eat the NFL alive and the NFL may just settle the case.

[fyo]

^

Also, he absolutely is going to get drafted unless he bombs his combine and pro day.

I think the most remarkable thing with this whole situation is that he told is teammates in August and: 1) doesn't look like it caused a problem in the locker room. 2) it didn't make news of any kind during the season.

Seriously, if this wasn't a huge issue in college, why would it be a problem in the NFL where the players are, all things considered, more mature?

[CF DolFan]

Seriously, if this wasn't a huge issue in college, why would it be a problem in the NFL where the players are, all things considered, more mature?

Because he didn't just tell his teammates. He told the whole world which makes it prime for media and public opinion. Like I said ...  now he comes with distraction and is he good enough to have to deal with it? Considering he was questionable before it surely only adds to that question.

[MikeO]

By coming out now, he puts himself in the spotlight and forces teams to consider him.  If he doesn't get drafted, chances are he'll file suit for discrimination.

A brilliant move on his part

how can he sue anybody if he doesn't get drafted? That's beyond silly

[Landshark]

how can he sue anybody if he doesn't get drafted? That's beyond silly

People sue all the time for petty reasons

[MikeO]

People sue all the time for petty reasons

ha ha ha, boy they say one is born every minute and you are living proof. He was a mid round pick to not being drafted by all of the "experts" BEFORE this news came out. So if he doesn't get drafted he can sue the league? That just opens up a can of worms that EVERY player that goes undrafted can say they are "gay" or "bi-sexual" and were discriminated against which is why they went undrafted.

Good lord if he goes undrafted he isn't going to sue. He has no case at all and it would be laughed at by everyone.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

People sue all the time for petty reasons

He can file a suit.  It will either be dismissed on a 12b(6) motion (failure to state a claim for which relief can be granted) or if it survives that on summary judgment for the defendant after discovery unless discovery finds evidence that in fact that was why he was not drafted which would require a statement by GM/Coach/owner that he was not drafted for that reason.  

Plus filing suit or even hinting he might would make him considerably more toxic to pickup as an UDFA than the chances of a team trading for J Martin.  

[masterfins]

I predict the Patriots draft him in the 7th round, and Belichek never mentions him at a single news conference the entire season; unless he scores a TD.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I predict the Patriots draft him in the 7th round, and Belichek never mentions him at a single news conference the entire season; unless he scores a TD.

A DE scoring a TD is worthy of a coach's comment.

If he falls to the 7th round I would not be surprised if the Pats draft him. And no, BB would never bring up MS's sexuality.  I am sure the press would ask about it, and BB would respond with a non-answer.  For two reasons:  1) the only smart response to a question about a players sexuality is a non-answer and 2) BB is a master a the non-answer. 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

This pretty much clinches that there is going to have to be a clarified and clear non-hazing policy throughout the NFL this off-season.

Even if you take the facts in the light most favorable to Richie Incognito, the facts that have come out make it clear that there is persuasive locker room behavior through the NFL that violates federal labor laws.  (Even if Martin was not a victim of that, what came out in defense of Richie, makes it clear that others are very frequently a victim of workplace harassment and that workplace harassment is the norm)

Add in a openly gay player and the potential for even worse harassment and a complete removal of any defense by the league to claim they didn't know that locker room harassment exists.