PF

Damn, Michael Sam is a Ram

May 12, 2014

KB
Stage· 112 messages
May 12, 2014

The 2014 NFL Draft is done and had many surprises before it concluded. One of the biggest stories to "come out" of the Draft is that of Michael Sam, a proud gay player drafted by the St. Louis Rams far below his draft value...why?

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:04 PM

Hello everyone!!
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:05 PM

Kara will be joining us soon for this tawk about Michael Sam...
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:06 PM

Hallooooo!
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:06 PM

As many know, Michael Sam was the SEC Defensive player of the year last season as a DE for the U of Missouri
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:06 PM

Hey Steve...glad to see you!
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:07 PM

With an inspiring story of hope, honesty, and gratitude (quite unlike the characteristics discussed in a previous Tawk on Johnny Football's reaction to the NFL draft picks!)
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:07 PM

So right Kara...
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:07 PM

Hi, Football Steve!
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:07 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“hello Pat”

KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:07 PM

Here's an overview from Fox Sports: http://tawke.rs/1oIN9x8
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:07 PM

While Sam was one of the best defensive players in the NCAA...his draft pic was one of the last of the draft
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:07 PM

Nevermind - that's not it. lol
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:08 PM

HERE it is! http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/no-hesitation-for-networks-airing-sam-reaction1-051214?GT1=39002
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:08 PM

It was beautiful, touching and RIDICULOS!!
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:08 PM

And why was that, Pat? If Michael Sam is so great, why was he picked so late in the draft?
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:08 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“hi Kara”

KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:09 PM

Yes...the kiss seen around the world!
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:10 PM

Michael Sam was ranked among the top defensive players in this draft until he came out. Once soundly in 60th on the draft list, after his proud proclamation, he dropped to #190
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:10 PM

and was actually picked at #249...nearly missed the draft completely
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:11 PM

My problem is what difference does it make who he loves? When no one knew he was gay, he was a hero...
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:11 PM

What difference could it possibly make? Does the guy play great football? Then who give a damn about his sexual orientation? Obviously someone does - was that drop in rank the fault of public opinion or the NFL, itself? Pat???
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:12 PM

I think he's a bigger hero now...
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:12 PM

I believe that it's a problem that is deep within the machismo that is football
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:12 PM

And to display such gratitude and joy - rather than anger and resentment...Michael Sam is a class act, if you ask me.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:13 PM

with over 250 players drafted...can you seriously believe that the only gay guy was Sam? Not a chance
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:13 PM

Michael Sam can't be the only gay guy in the NFL.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:13 PM

And Steve...St Louis got a great player for very little
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:13 PM

Ha! We're obviously on the same page here, mentally, Pat. lol
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:13 PM

He is far fromthe only gay in the NFL..he is just the strongest Gay in the N FL]
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:14 PM

I heard the intentions were to use him on the practice squad
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:14 PM

Plus...gain tons of off season press!!
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:15 PM

I think it would be great if other gay NFLers would follow Michael Sam's lead - now that the draft is over. What would the reaction be for any of the NFL teams to discover that they unwittingly drafted a homosexual???
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:15 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“I agree Pat”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:15 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“31 other teams passed on him”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:15 PM

They can cut them before the season starts, Kara
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:15 PM

Ahhh...too bad.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:15 PM

Being drafted doesn't mean you're on the team
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:16 PM

it means you have an audition
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:16 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“and I don't see him even making the Rams roster”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:16 PM

I agree with you Steve...he's an amazing man to go through so much...
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:16 PM

I just feel like Michael Sam started something here, and it would be great if that momentum could continue until sexuality in the NFL is no longer an issue.
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:16 PM

Agreed, Steve.
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:17 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“they are loaded on the D-line”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:17 PM

the problem isn't the closeted gays, it's the homophobes
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:17 PM

I'm sure more gays would come out if it didn't mean getting the shit kicked out of them in practice or hazing or just plain discrimination
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:18 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“regardless I admire his strength and honesty”

KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:18 PM

Oh, for sure! I understand the reasons behind staying in the closet. Just wishing for my own, personal, idealistic version of the world where it doesn't matter - NFL or otherwise.
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:18 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“he will catch on with sombody”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:18 PM

exactly Steve...lord knows if you're gay you're always looking to get laid....
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:19 PM

and recruitment is a big problem for the homophobes
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:19 PM

Well, who isn't? lol
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:19 PM

Because gay men are just looking to get straight guys
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:19 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“and society in general”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:19 PM

Michael Sam is going to have a tough road in the NFL but he is paving the road for those in the future.
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:20 PM

How is this type of discrimination still tolerated? I mean, look at the reaction to Sterling's racist comments? Outrage! How is this situation any different? Yet, it's accepted.
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:20 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“its shameful”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:20 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“still not accepted in the locker room”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:20 PM

I think Sterling being a racist doesn't intimidate like a gay NFL player does
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:21 PM

He's not trying to make you racist...
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:21 PM

But ignorance and plain stupidity leads people to believe that LGBT community is all out to steal their children and make them gay
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:21 PM

So, what, then - they're afraid of being "converted"? Are they afraid being gay is contagious? The ignorance is astounding.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:22 PM

Oh you wouldn't believe it!!! That is what the whole problem is...
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:22 PM

Ignorance breeds ignorance and as long as people let lies and assumption for their opinion, we'll have a problem
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:22 PM

Well, personal opinions aside, I think Michael Sam is a hero.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:23 PM

I think he did something really big for the gay community.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:23 PM

Whether he gets to play in the NFL or not, he's making things easier...he's taken a step in the right direction
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:23 PM

Do you think the St. Louis Rams drafted Michael Sam just for the publicity?
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:24 PM

President Obama sent him a message after the draft thanking him for what he has done to move the country forward towards equality for all...pretty cool
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:24 PM

AWESOME!
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:24 PM

I wouldn't put it past any team that is in need of attention to grab up a controversial player
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:25 PM

but I think that the Rams did him a favor.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:25 PM

He's a Missouri boy...
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:25 PM

Very White and VERY Gay
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:26 PM

If someone really wanted to be controversial - and gain a great player at the same time - someone should've stepped forward & drafted him in the 1st or 2nd round. That team would have a whole new fan base when all was said & done....
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:26 PM

I mean that he's obviously gay...not more gay than anyone else who is gay
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:26 PM

...and not just the gay community either. Supporters of equal rights.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:26 PM

Now you're tawking money Kara
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:26 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“I hope not”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:26 PM

The longer he say, the less he costs
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:26 PM

'
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:26 PM

Sat I mean
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:27 PM

Would've meant even bigger publicity though.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:27 PM

True
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:28 PM

Like I said, Micheal Sam, as a Ram or member of any other NFL team is going to have a hard road
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:28 PM

And yes, Steve...the race thing will come into play I'm sure.
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:28 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“Isn't his partner white ? another obstacle to overcome”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:29 PM

I hope he is soooooo damn good that the Rams can't cut him or put him off...
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:29 PM

Well, it appears that Michael Sam has significant support from outside the NFL. Hopefully that will outweigh all the discriminatory CRAP.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:30 PM

I hope that all of America could do that Steve
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:30 PM

ON a grand scale, not just in the NFL
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:30 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“I hope he gets a lot of reps in the pre-season”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:31 PM

Bottom line: should the sexual orientation of a player at the pro level be a consideration prior to becoming a part of a team?
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:31 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“so team will get past this and see him as a good football player”

PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:32 PM

I mean wasn't Rock Hudson a sex symbol?
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:32 PM

Agreed. This issue goes far beyond the NFL, unfortunately. Even though Michael Sam's draft rank dropping because of his coming out is absolute crap, perhaps there is a "bigger picture" to focus on here. He's done immeasurable good for the cause.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:32 PM

the sacrifice bunt...
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:33 PM

Michael Sam will go down in history as the first gay player to be drafted to the NFL
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:33 PM

And, like I said - to show such gratitude and joy at being drafted at all, rather than being angry and resentful at the situation as it was, is heroic in itself.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:34 PM

Yes, the two big stories: Johnny Manziel and Michael Sam...what diversity??
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:34 PM

Johnny Manziel appeared like an ingrate and Michael Sam showed grace and appreciation
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:35 PM

If Billy Joel ever writes an updated version of "We Didn't Start the Fire," Michael Sam's will surely be mentioned!
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:35 PM

All right...what a great tawk...I believe the conclusion we have reached is that Michael Sam is a hero
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:35 PM

Agreed. Michael Sam is totally a here!
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:36 PM

The Saint Louis Rams now have one of the emotionally strong players in the league.
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:36 PM

Have a great day, football lovers!
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:37 PM

The 2014 NFL Draft will go down in history as the first draft to draft a gay player. Bravo!
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:38 PM

I only wish it hadn't been such a big deal. When being gay becomes nothing more than liking chocolate over vanilla...then we're on the right track!
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:38 PM

A step in the right direction...
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:38 PM

Good Luck Michael Sam!!
PF

Pat Fairweather · 4:39 PM

See you later!!
KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:39 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“thanks...great tawk”

KB

Kara Bigelow · 4:40 PM

★ Spotlighted from Steve Hoffman

“and good luck Mr. Sam”