Oh you thought this was about me? hhaaaa @Tuaminator
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
Top NFL prospect Michael Sam comes out
One of the last barriers of bigotry in all of professional sports will soon fall: Former Missouri star defensive end Michael Sam, an All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, has come out as gay.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
Sam is expected to be a high-round draft pick in May, which would set a series of historic firsts in motion. He would be the first openly gay player drafted. Since most high-round picks make NFL rosters, he'd also likely be the first openly gay player in NFL history.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
"I came to tell the world that I'm an openly, proud gay man," he told Chris Connelly of ESPN's Outside The Lines Sunday night.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
“Michael has shown great courage in taking this step and not only do we support him, we are incredibly grateful. His decision to welcome us all into his world as he embarks upon a professional NFL career is an honorable one. This moment will resonate in a unique and important way for countless people, particularly LGBT youth,” said human rights activist Brendon Ayanbadejo, the former Baltimore Ravens player who has been advising Sam. Ayanbadejo is a member of the Athlete Ally Board of Directors, a group that fights homophobia in sports.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
The announcement sets up a number of tests for the league, for Sam and for his fellow players.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
For one, there will be a dizzying scouting combine that starts Feb. 19 in Indianapolis, which Sam is expected to attend. No draft prospect in the history of the combine has been dissected or discussed like he will be.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
Brandon Wade/Associated Press
If Sam does attend, the combine will become one of the most heavily covered sports events in recent years because it would no longer be a sports-centric story. It will be talked about across the media spectrum.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
One general manager told Bleacher Report that Sam will be a true test of whether the NFL is actually open to all kinds of players. He believes that if Sam falls past the third round, then "something stinks. Because this guy is easily a high-rounder."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller agrees that Sam's talents should result in his getting picked in an early round.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
"As a player, Michael Sam was one of the most impactful defenders in college football last season," Miller said. "Playing left defensive end, he was able to produce All-American numbers by using his quickness off the ball and high-level instincts. The tape shows a smaller pass-rusher with good agility, but (at 6'2", 255 pounds) he might struggle to find a true position in the NFL...The production and burst are easy to fall in love with, though. Teams needing an outside pass-rusher will like the tools he brings and his developmental potential as a player."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
Top NFL prospect Michael Sam comes out
One of the last barriers of bigotry in all of professional sports will soon fall: Former Missouri star defensive end Michael Sam, an All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, has come out as gay.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
Sam is expected to be a high-round draft pick in May, which would set a series of historic firsts in motion. He would be the first openly gay player drafted. Since most high-round picks make NFL rosters, he'd also likely be the first openly gay player in NFL history.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
"I came to tell the world that I'm an openly, proud gay man," he told Chris Connelly of ESPN's Outside The Lines Sunday night.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
“Michael has shown great courage in taking this step and not only do we support him, we are incredibly grateful. His decision to welcome us all into his world as he embarks upon a professional NFL career is an honorable one. This moment will resonate in a unique and important way for countless people, particularly LGBT youth,” said human rights activist Brendon Ayanbadejo, the former Baltimore Ravens player who has been advising Sam. Ayanbadejo is a member of the Athlete Ally Board of Directors, a group that fights homophobia in sports.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
The announcement sets up a number of tests for the league, for Sam and for his fellow players.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
For one, there will be a dizzying scouting combine that starts Feb. 19 in Indianapolis, which Sam is expected to attend. No draft prospect in the history of the combine has been dissected or discussed like he will be.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
Brandon Wade/Associated PressIf Sam does attend, the combine will become one of the most heavily covered sports events in recent years because it would no longer be a sports-centric story. It will be talked about across the media spectrum.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
One general manager told Bleacher Report that Sam will be a true test of whether the NFL is actually open to all kinds of players. He believes that if Sam falls past the third round, then "something stinks. Because this guy is easily a high-rounder."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller agrees that Sam's talents should result in his getting picked in an early round.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
"As a player, Michael Sam was one of the most impactful defenders in college football last season," Miller said. "Playing left defensive end, he was able to produce All-American numbers by using his quickness off the ball and high-level instincts. The tape shows a smaller pass-rusher with good agility, but (at 6'2", 255 pounds) he might struggle to find a true position in the NFL...The production and burst are easy to fall in love with, though. Teams needing an outside pass-rusher will like the tools he brings and his developmental potential as a player."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...s-gay-big-tests-loom-for-him-league?hpt=hp_t1
You almost had me @
hahaha
