Michael Sam And The NFL's Virulent Homophobia - HuffPo [View all]

[WillyT]

Michael Sam and the NFL's Virulent Homophobia
Michelangelo Signorile - HuffPo
Posted: 09/02/2014 11:05 am EDT Updated: 4 hours ago



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Michael Sam was cut by the St. Louis Rams over the weekend. Over the following 24 hours, no other team had decided to claim the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL. Then came the news that the Rams didn't choose him for its practice squad. And though he could be picked for a practice squad for another team this week, NFL watchers believe his options are dim.

There have already been lots of arguments on social media, and it will continue this week, over whether or not this represented homophobia in the NFL. Frankly, I'm astounded that anyone can even debate this. One person on my Facebook page said that if Michael Sam were good enough he'd be playing. I don't know how this person could possibly justify such a statement since the NFL's record -- of giving slaps on the wrist for ugly homophobic incidents and hiring known haters -- suggests otherwise, and no openly gay player had been drafted before.

We witnessed players tweeting hateful comments after Sam came out, and saw stories in the sports media quoting unnamed officials saying open gays would mess with the locker room "chemistry" and that the NFL just wasn't ready. Even if we accepted that Sam's performance wasn't up to par and that that was the sole reason for his fate, there is nothing beyond the hollow words of NFL officials to suggest that if he were "good enough" he'd be playing -- and much to suggest otherwise.

And, of course, there are many who are saying Sam was more than good enough. The Rams gave Sam a fair shake, drafting him late when many sports commentators thought he'd be drafted earlier, based on his college performance. Already it seemed like general managers were fearing him. Sam performed well for the Rams but in the end it appears he wasn't what they needed. The coach still praised him. His cut there seemed to be a football decision. But what of any other teams not picking him up in the next 24 hours, or the Rams declining him for its practice squad, and the possibility that he won't make any practice squad?

Let's defer to the experts for some facts and observations:

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More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelangelo-signorile/michael-sam-and-the-nfls_b_5751632.html