Michael Samis expected to make history as the first gay NFL player after winning the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award. Unfortunately, it's looking like it's going to be a struggle careerwise according to some folks in the NFL. Although Twitter really doesn't have any direct power in how Sam's career pans out, its reaction is a snapshot of the relevance of someone's sexual orientation, how far society has come, and how far it needs to go.
Although Sam's sexuality is a talking point for obvious reasons, Patrick Crayton is upset not because of the decision, but because it's a topic of discussion at all. He specifically called out ESPN's Adam Schefter in his rant.
"@AdamSchefter: Missouri DE Michael Sam, a projected mid-round pick, said today he's gay. Story now on ESPN2." Oh wow!!! There goes the NFL!
"@AdamSchefter: Missouri DE Michael Sam, a projected mid-round pick, said today he's gay. Story now on ESPN2." trying to figure why annonce
"@AdamSchefter: Missouri DE Michael Sam, a projected mid-round pick, said today he's gay. Story now on ESPN2." Stay in the closet and keep
"@AdamSchefter: Missouri DE Michael Sam, a projected mid-round pick, said today he's gay. Story now on ESPN2." To urself!!!
"@jknoxville: @AdamSchefter how is this a football issue?" HeterosexualHeterosexuals aren't walking around saying I'm straight!!!
He clarified his reasoning later in a series of tweets, saying that the attention surrounding his sexuality will unfortunately overcloud his ability to play the game. Valid point, but there were a few others from Sports Twitter who expressed a similar sentiment more succinctly.
That took some courage but man his draft stock is going to plummet even though it should be based on production and how he can contribute‼️
I'm so tired of hearing about who gay and who not. I could care less.
Realistically my "don't give a damn" attitude isn't everyone's, so there are some that this won't go over so well with.
A few others focused on supporting the possible future NFL player rather than focusing on realism:
Michael Sam isn't the 1st gay player in the NFL although he is the 1st 2 come out.#realtalk Let's show him love like a family member. Truth
Good for Michael Sam.. Hopefully this'll inspire others to be comfortable and proud of who they are
Had multiple convos with @MikeSamFootball this year, amazed at his honesty & courage! Once a tiger, ALWAYS a Tiger!
Good for Michael Sam. Takes courage for where he is in his career and where we are as a league. I applaud him.
A lot of the responses titled toward positivity, but as the NFL personnel reminds us, this is a league with a heterosexual, hyper-masculine mindset. It's possible there's going to be a bit of controversy in the coming days.
RELATED: Hall of Shame: A Recent History of Homophobia in Sports
RELATED: Anonymous NFL Personnel Give a Pretty Disheartening Assessment of Michael Sam's NFL Future
