1) Because that's what he had to say (as everyone here agrees, it was scripted) and because it's true. However; 2) Just because something is relatively easier doesn't make it easy. Lifting 40000 pounds is relatively easier than lifting 39000 pounds; therefore, lifting 39000 pounds is easy. It also doesn't mean that because someone has been toughened by life events that they won't ever face adversity in the future or struggle with it to any extent.
That was one day of his life. However, as you know, he was going to have to address it talking to teams at the Combine or he was going to have to announce it publicly before the Combine (unless you expected him to be dishonest or to ignore a barrage of unwanted questions). How else could you reasonably expect Michael Sam to convey his sexuality to all 32 NFL teams before the Combine on his own terms without doing so through the national media? Regardless, even if he were to directly inform the teams, it would've leaked to the media almost immediately and Sam wouldn't have been able to control the narrative, an idiotic situation he avoided.
He's a terrible father (this refers to before the announcement): And also a terrible human being. And ESPN is terrible for keeping that as a headline for so long.
but not what I was discussing. I am discussing the public response and support to make it a public topic. you want to argue it took courage to tell his parents, who have far more emotional investment in him and thus it is a far more personal situation, fine, I will have that separate discussion and agree with you. but the discussion that I was having was in regards to the public environment he would face, which was known to be overwhelmingly supportive.
The funny/sad thing is that of his brothers apparently one is dead from a gunshot (possibly gang related), one disappeared in 1998 and is presumed dead, two are in prison yet it's him, the gay son, that his father is disappointed in. Talk about priorities being out of whack.
yeh its pretty fucked up i mean it seems like he came from some rough circumstances and he is now college educated and has a chance to make it onto an nfl roster... gay or not i dont see how a father could not be proud of that or at least not publicly talk about being disappointed in his potentially very successful gay son
I'd love to have Sam on the Jets team...He apparently is a great leader and I think he seems to be a good team guy
I cant tell you what his perception, his perception is his perception, its entirely possible this man has lost touch with reality? then again reality is only what one perceives it as. If he says it wasnt difficult to come out, who am I to disagree? I havent lived a day in his shoes, ive never met him, I never even heard of him until 4 days ago, and now I am supposed to be calling him a liar? Cant do that personally.
I think it was pretty alpha male what he did, for someone that is supposed to be a homosexual, he comes across an alpha male. Makes no sense but not much does anymore.
I could be wrong, but your posts on this topic indicate that you are somewhat naive as to what a gay person has to deal with on a daily basis. As someone who has a close family member who is gay, I can tell you unequivocally that what Sam did was brave, courageous, and ground breaking. As for all this "support" that you say is out there, answer me this. Why is Sam about to become the first openly gay current player in a major sport ? Why don't the other gay athletes take advantage of this "support" and the media "adoration" and follow suit? When you are gay and your father acts like Sam's did, the media "support" loses some luster,doesn't it? Why did his teammates in Missouri keep it a secret for 6 months? This country is making strides with regard to gay rights, but we have a long way to go and, like it or not, it it the civil rights issue of this era. This country is still very anti- gay. Do you know how it feels if your religion considers who you love to be a sin? Or that you are an "abomination." Or that almost half the population ( or more depending on geography) believes you can't marry who you love or that you shouldn't have children or be around children? I can go on, but instead I can tell you unequivocally that life as a gay man in today's United States is hard and when you have a loved one who comes out and you face this reality your perspective changes in ways you can't imagine. I applaud Sam for embarking on this journey. Those of you who think it will be easy are just ignorant.
public polls dispute your assertion that the country is "very anti-gay." knowing that makes me the opposite of naive. people over 70 are the only demographic that is very ant-gay in their belief that it is wrong. but whether they believe it is wrong doesn't equate to a hateful and homophobic environment. someone can believe it is wrong and still be accepting of homosexuals as people. your confusion of the two is what is naive. the media's overwhelming support homosexuals, and Sam specifically, is the supportive environment he has come out to. that is simply a fact. you will have to dispute that with contrary facts that show anti-gay attitudes are prevalent in today's society, and not in the belief of whether it is right or wrong but the lack of acceptance of the homosexuals themselves in society. those are two different things. you can't do it because it doesn't exist. homosexuals are overwhelmingly accepted in today's society. why no other players have come out does not dispute the specific topic of the media environment and support Sam came out to. those are two different topics. gay marriage has the support of the majority of the population. that's the public support that makes the environment overwhelmingly positive. whether the laws have been changed or not by politicians is a different topic. just because everything about being homosexual isn't all roses doesn't negate the overall social environment is supportive of homosexuals. and you can be supportive of homosexuals and their rights without agreeing with the behavior.
you said it yourself, people can believe they should have the right to marry but still dont support them in any other way. a lot of people do believe that people should be able to marry whomever they want, while at the same time harbor homophobic viewpoints whether it be from religion or wherever else. its still a big issue for a lot of people. its clear that you are just not going to get this, but what would you feel like if you could not reveal your true self to the people you are supposed to be closest with in your life? if you were constantly worried that they might find out or question your sexuality when you arent dating any girls? michael sam's father is not the only one with that sort of reaction, and for a lot of people they must still live their lives in fear of losing the love of the people closest to them for something as simple as their sexuality. ive already said it in this thread, but if you have to actively choose to sleep with women instead of men, you are not heterosexual. i dont ever remember choosing to love titties, it just kind of happened around 11 years old and that was that, id imagine its pretty much the same thing but with guys if you were gay. just saying. i dont know where im going with this got snowed in and dont have to work until tuesday next week so im a bit stoned right now. but yeh, you cant seriously think that being the first openly gay nfl player isnt going to be tough because of same-sex marriage polls. come on
I'm waiting for some disgruntled player to call a presser to announce he's straight. Mike Piazza would be proud.
That pretty much says it all and sums it up. Close the thread now. I wish I had handled this issue so eloquently in two minutes.
I don't think his announcement was that difficult. His friends and teamates already knew. I'm 35 and I could care less that he's gay, so I assume for people 21 there much more liberal about it and really don't care. I think it was a brilliant marketing strategy. He's gonna make money regardless of where he falls in the draft. The only thing I have seen that is hurtful is his father is openly upset and voicing his displeasure. I'm sure that's been very difficult. In conclusion it is very brave and good for him. I think long term he benefits allot from the announcement
you are arguing something completely irrelevant, and your entire post reveals that you don't grasp what I said. whether homosexuals feel fear and insecurity in coming out to those people close to them, whose opinions of them are far more personal, is not the same as the broader social landscape that is willing to accept them. telling your dad is different than proclaiming it to society. and if everyone walking down the street says good job to you for coming out, but your dad is hurt and that hurts you, that personal hurt from your father doesn't negate the broader social acceptance and support. you can't seriously think the two are the same.
