Michael Sam

Former University of Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam found it necessary yesterday to tell the entire country about his specific sexual preferences.  Apparently, this is something we should all be concerned with since all sports and mainstream media outlets have been discussing it incessantly since the news broke.

However, I do not believe that any person's particular sexual quirks are actually newsworthy.

In any way.

At all.

The media is droning on about this because they wish to portray Michael Sam as some sort of groundbreaking hero who is risking everything to make this announcement.

I disagree.  Michael Sam is not breaking any sort of barrier here.

In fact, I would argue that he actually has more to gain than lose in this scenario. If Kobe Bryant or Derek Jeter decided to make their sexual preferences a matter of public commentary, they would be ridiculed for discussing such personal and private matters so openly.  However, Michael Sam is encouraged to do so and has hundreds to thousands of people in the media defending his decision to make this a national topic.

Reportedly, he was already quickly dropping down draft boards as news of his sexuality had long ago permeated the offices of NFL scouts and general managers AND based on a thorough assessment of his collegiate career and lack of size.  For example, 9 of his conference-leading 11.5 sacks came against the weakest opponents on his team's schedule.  Some projections had him going late in the draft, where many players eventually get cut and never actually land a roster spot.  Even assuming he would be selected in a later round of the draft, the money guaranteed to those players would probably be far less lucrative than the money to be made by writing a book and making television appearances discussing the scorn and judgment he has suffered.  TV appearances are also far less laborious.  I'm not entirely sure about that last point, but I think it is safe to assume there is considerably less work involved in putting on a suit and make-up than there is in the routine grind of an NFL career.

Let's look at some numbers, though.  Josh Evans was the first selection in the sixth round of the 2013 draft.  He signed a 4-year contract and made $405,000 last year.  Josh Evans also had to work for that income by showing up to meetings, practices, games, and any other obligations placed on him by the Jaguars organization.  A book deal can certainly reach higher figures than that and would simply require Michael Sam to choose an author to tell his story.  Former NBA player and recently announced homosexual Jason Collins was a speaker at a Democratic National Committee gala last year where tickets cost as much as $32,400!  I'm willing to bet he received a nice piece of that just for reading a few notecards.  Gay activist Anderson Cooper charges $40,000+ for a speaking fee.  Even if Sam is not drafted at all, he has plenty of potential for a financially rewarding career of just getting on a stage and talking about himself based on his newfound adoration from the media.

As I mentioned, most NFL executives already were aware of Sam's sexuality and had already factored it into their potential ranking of the lineman.  Granted anonymity, a few were willing to express the issues that his sexuality would bring to an NFL squad, and none of them were positive.  (Click that last link, it's a good read.)  The overwhelming, non-football-related media coverage would overshadow anything positive that was done on the field by their team and would constantly be an unwanted distraction.  Furthermore, if a team drafts Sam but then later cuts him based on his actual performance, the team would be labeled homophobic for making such a move.  Unless he is Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, that is simply not a risk worth taking.

The whole "macho NFL environment" being tough for a gay man to navigate is also an invalid argument.  He is not entitled to an NFL career.  Nobody is.  It is a privilege.  If he doesn't like the landscape there, he can always seek employment elsewhere, possibly using the knowledge he obtained with all that free tuition from the University of Missouri.

I also need to mention the bravery that has been bestowed to Sam's "coming out" announcement.  I can't help but believe this point is being drastically overplayed.  Admittedly, he had informed his entire team of his lifestyle choices last year so it wasn't ever a secret to begin with.  I haven't researched it, but do you really think that information about one of Missouri's most high-profile players being a homosexual was never leaked and not already rampantly discussed on internet message boards?  That's a hard pill to swallow.  Additionally, it is an insult to actual courageous people, like soldiers and police officers, to label Michael Sam as such since he only appeared on television to share news that anyone who was concerned with already knew.  I would be just as bold to obtain national coverage for an announcement that I like to eat pizza.

Whether you agree or disagree with Michael Sam's choices, I'm aware that there is very little anyone could say to change your view.  It is nearly futile to just say it is wrong or right and expect to change someone's mind.  What really bothers me is that our society has changed to one in which I'm considered the bigot and homophobe if I do not immediately embrace this man's actions.  If he had come out and said that cows or donkeys are what he prefers, would the media still be singing his praises?

I disagree with Sam's lifestyle and I have the right to do so.  His sexual choices should stay behind closed doors just like those of everyone else.  If he doesn't want to be judged for his personal activities, then he shouldn't bring up the topic.