Michael Sam, genuine good story, or money grab?

[HumanCockroach]

Things are slow, and while the hype surrounding the first "openly" gay player in NFL history has died down, I'm curious to see how posters here weigh in on what he actually is, as opposed to what many want him to be.

He has just signed up to do a "reality" show with the Oprah conglomerate . Is this something that others feel is a smart move by a guy that may or may not even find himself playing football in the league come September? Blatant money grab designed to use his "celebrity" gayness for his profit only? And if so, does it draw into question his "courage" in coming out, and the example he is portraying to young gay people looking for a roll model, and someone to look up to? Was his "moment" really just a staged performance for the camera's to improve his "brand" ? Shouldn't he be doing the same things other rookies are doing, which is working to secure a football future, as opposed to gaining fame?

There's a lot of varying opinions out ther and initially completly supported his decision in "coming out" and was clear it shouldn't be given a second thought, as we move forward, I find myself changing my opinion, the reaction initially I felt was genuine, and I chastised ESPN and NFL Network for airing it like some sort of trussed up prize turkey because I felt it was a private moment that didn't need everyone in the world to see it, now I'm not entirely positive it was a private celebratory moment but a planned advertisement by Sam...

how many rookies make this choice? Does Manziel? Clowney? Mathews? I kind of doubt it personally. I suppose I am not "completely turned" but the more attention grabs Sam goes for, the less likely I am to defend the guy. He isn't some established great all pro player, he's a seventh round bubble player, that should be focussing on getting a job, not where and when he needs to get his make up done for the taping.... Just curious what others thoughts were on the subject, and thought it could fill some time during the "dog days" of little to no football news ( unless of course you all would prefer to discuss Hernandez latest indictment? LOL)

[c_hawkbob]

First, I think it's more for Oprah's profit that for Sam's.

Second, it's not a reality show per se, it's a documentary.

Third, until I see evidence to the contrary I'll default on the altruistic side and assume it's to further the role that he's been thrust into (by his demonstrated willingness to be upfront about his sexual orientation) as ground breaker. Like it or not he's already the Rosa Parks of the gay rights movement in this country and I believe he sees his responsibility in that regard as equal to (if not transcending) his role as a 7th round rookie draft choice of the St Louis Rams.

[NorthHawk]

He's a 7th round pick on an already stacked pass rushing DL.
He'd better get as much money as fast as he can because he's in tough to make that team.
Other than perhaps Special Teams.

[HumanCockroach]

Maybe, not sold on the "documentary" aspect, as I'm not sure there is such a thing anymore in today's society, we'll see.....

[curmudgeon]

15 minutes and counting, tick, tick...........

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

I just hate the media frenzy over it, even though we knew this would happen. They've got to wring this shammy dry while it is still soaking wet.

Personally, I don't care what he does in his personal life. If he doesn't make it in the NFL, it is only tragic because he didn't achieve a dream. If he makes it, then it's awesome because he made it with the best of the best. His sexual orientation shouldn't have any thing to do with it. I certainly wish him the best, but, like has been said, it will be tough sledding with that Rams d-line.

[Distant Relative]

Sam has repeatedly said he wants to be known as a "Football player", not a gay football player. This "Mini Doc" is going to make people remember him as the first NFL openly gay player to come out of the draft??! The kid will be lucky to even make the team! Maybe he realizes this and is trying to cash in now?


Personally, I couldn't care less about the mans sexuality or anyone else's for that matter. Just be consistent with your statements and actions.

Go Hawks!

[Hawk Sista]

Please be reminded that had Sam not come out, the media would have gotten ahold of this story and it woulda been worse for the guy. So he took control. Also... to say his draft day situation was staged is as silly as it is unAmerican. It was staged like all the stories and sub-stories are staged. Because it is this issue, it "feels" more staged. How many players had cameras in their homes? How many tears were shed? How many hugs/kisses did we see? We are either the land of the free and home of the brave or we ain't.

Sam had all kinds of pressure that most of us here have NEVER felt. Making judgements about why he did what he did w/o hearing from him is presumptive. Dude is loathed by a certain % of people out of the gate. Gay or not, that is hard & hurtful. On to his skill-set and if it translates to the NFL level.... That is a fair question. The only fair complaint against Sam, IMHO, will come "if" he is cut for performance reasons and the Mid-America Rams get torched for being bigots. But that's an IF right now.

I hope he plays well and that his life is a happy one, void of life threats and boos because he has a boyfriend and isn't bangin Kim Kardashian and her trampyass sisters. Peace.

Go Hawks

[HumanCockroach]

Please understand me people, I'm not "accusing" Sam, I'm asking opinions. I got no issue with Sam, but I can say to date I have never seen a player with a cupcake do what Sam did, well, ever. I can also honestly say that while there have been plenty of tears and hugs, and kisses, I have never seen the amount of attention and film dedicated to a supplemental seventh round selection, and to the best of my knowledge, no player has accepted a reality/ documentary show before even signing with the team that drafted them.

Of course the media grabbed a hold of it, it is after all what they do, and of course they wanted a "piece" of Sam to promote themselves, that said, I don't think it is difficult to think Sam could have said no, is it? I personally don't feel like that would have been all that difficult ( considering the challenge to make an NFL TEAM facing him) and I would venture a guess that he isn't the first rookie that some station attempted to do this with, and yet none have.

Ultimately, I say boo to the media, but I'm not entirely sure what to feel about Sam at this point. I feel the "questions" in the first post are "valid" ( or at least questions that some would ask) thoughts ( and have seen many of the same questions or thoughts echoed throughout numerous discussions , and thought it would be an interesting "filler" topic during a "down" period). I am certainly not attacking the guy, and could care less about his preference ( and have maintained that throughout) but, IMO there is a difference between being a gay football player, and using being a gay football player to garner fame.

I'm not saying that IS what he is doing, just that the possibility exists, and the timing ( as well as not notifying the Rams prior to the pick) could be something that leads people to believe that he is using his status to further his fame as opposed to just being who he is. Using the NFL as a "platform" has been done before, and typically it has dissaterious results.I wish the dude nothing but the best, but question how he is going about it.

[Eaglehawk]

If I were him, I would make the money grab as quick as possible, nothing is promised to you in life so work hard and get it while you can.
NFL means Not For Long.

So good for him. I see him playing this thing just about right, sure a little tacky, and yeah I am glad I missed "the kiss" or I would have thrown up, but other than that, good for him!
And I hope he makes the team!

[Zorn76]

We'll see what happens.

Personally, I respect Sam for doing what he felt was best - publicly announcing that he is gay - and becoming the first NFL player to do so in this fashion.

What I'm actually surprised the media hasn't done, is talk more about the fact that it's likely that gay athletes have been around as long as sports themselves. I guess with so few coming out openly while playing their respective sport, there isn't enough to discuss. On that note, I think we may see more players - in any sport - outing themselves in the near future. And if that's something they really want to do, then they should. Likewise, those who do not wish to do so should not be bashed by anyone (even in the gay community), or outed by the media.

I also liked the way espn and NFLN handled the moment. I was curious if the camera at Sam's house would cut away before capturing any affection between he and his partner, and think they did the right thing by keeping it on them. It is what it is. Had they cut back to the studio the second Sam and his BF kissed, I think it woulda worked against them more.

I dunno. I'm happy for the guy. It can't be an easy thing to go through - even if he did create the situation or publicity himself. He did what he felt was right. he stuck to his convictions, knowing full well it could affect not only his draft status, but a legit shot at an NFL career. I also think that Jeff Fisher is a great coach to handle this, and everything that will come from it, both good and bad. If nothing else, Michael Sam has a lot of courage, IMO.

As for the Oprah thing, that's just TV for you. I think that if I was in Sam's camp, I'd advise him not to do a project like this for now. I'd wait to see if he made the team first, played a full season, and had a solid rookie year. Regardless, I wish the kid well. Given what he did in college, I think he stands a good chance of making the team and contributing. St. Louis is also one of the more media obscure cities, so I think that works in his favor as well.

[NorthHawk]

I was listening to NFLRadio last Sunday and they had a guest on who was a writer for a Gay sports magazine (Outsports?).
He has been covering Sam's story for a while and his opinion was Sam should just play football and not do anything else as him making the team would help his cause more than any tv show or interview.
He obviously didn't talk about Oprah as that wasn't known, but he was just commenting about talk shows and such.

I can understand the writers point, but 7th round picks aren't high probabilities to make it in the NFL so he has to think about his future and try to set himself up financially so I get that, too.
I wish him well.

[Hawktown]

I feel you HC. i do think he should have just let the media find out on their own and he then could just simply say, yeah, so i am gay, does that bother you? and then made no other comment to them about it. His preference has no effect on his performance or job just a story for the media and for him to cash in on before he even takes the field.

Sis, this ain't the home of the free or the brave anymore. Very much the opposite just very underhanded so much that MOSTLY EVERYONE does not see it. Free would mean i could do anything i want as long as it does not HURT anyone else and brave would mean that people would stand up against their own government and not allow them to do what they do against us to control us. I see none of this in society in the USA, most people just accept that this is how it is and allow them to keep on taking away rights. Quit saving people from themselves and the government does not know what is better for them then the individual does themselves.

[HumanCockroach]

I didn't post that Hawktown, I don't have an issue either way, I just thought that it was a nice filler and there were a lot of opinions on it, so I started a thread. got no issues with your opinion, or sis' or anyone elses on the matter.

[burrrton]

I hope he plays well and that his life is a happy one, void of life threats and boos because he has a boyfriend and isn't bangin Kim Kardashian and her trampyass sisters. Peace.

What Sis said.

[NorthHawk]

I feel you HC. i do think he should have just let the media find out on their own and he then could just simply say, yeah, so i am gay, does that bother you? and then made no other comment to them about it. His preference has no effect on his performance or job just a story for the media and for him to cash in on before he even takes the field.

Sis, this ain't the home of the free or the brave anymore. Very much the opposite just very underhanded so much that MOSTLY EVERYONE does not see it. Free would mean i could do anything i want as long as it does not HURT anyone else and brave would mean that people would stand up against their own government and not allow them to do what they do against us to control us. I see none of this in society in the USA, most people just accept that this is how it is and allow them to keep on taking away rights. Quit saving people from themselves and the government does not know what is better for them then the individual does themselves.

The problem is the media never lets up and it becomes more of a circus than it has been or has to be, but I wish life were like that.
From what I've read, he played better once he let his teammates in College knew and maybe he needed to unburden himself in order to be able to compete at his best.
It's done now, so whatever his motivation was he will have to live with the media always wanting a piece of his time.

[PasadenaHawk]

Rosa Parks stood up (or rather sat down) for something. This guy is a nobody.

[burrrton]

This guy is a nobody.

Maybe, but I think he's a reluctant nobody who kinda had his hand forced. Don't you agree he should be cut some slack?

[c_hawkbob]

Rosa Parks stood up (or rather sat down) for something. This guy is a nobody.

It's an almost identical situation. It's all civil rights. The difference is gay rights have been a whole lot slower to be accepted than other civil rights.

[Futureite]

Here's my issue - if you say you want to be a "great" football player, this isn't the way to go about it. It wouldn't be taken well if Johnny Football went about getting paid by promoting himself (which is in essence what Sam is doing), and he is a first rd pick. I am questioning Sam's motivation a but at this pount. He is carrying himself like a guy that expects to be cut and needs to cash in while he can, not a guy that expects to succeed and be great.

[PasadenaHawk]

Rosa Parks stood up (or rather sat down) for something. This guy is a nobody.

It's an almost identical situation. It's all civil rights. The difference is gay rights have been a whole lot slower to be accepted than other civil rights.

I don't see the similarity myself. Rosa stood up against a long standing, systemic, disgusting practice of racial hatred. Maybe I am missing something, but the only thing gays can't do is get married, and that's only in some states.There's a world of difference between civil rights for blacks versus the LGBT community. We aren't segregating gays. We don't prevent them from voting. We don't count them as 3/5ths of a human.

[Futureite]

Rosa Parks stood up (or rather sat down) for something. This guy is a nobody.

It's an almost identical situation. It's all civil rights. The difference is gay rights have been a whole lot slower to be accepted than other civil rights.

I don't see the similarity myself. Rosa stood up against a long standing, systemic, disgusting practice of racial hatred. Maybe I am missing something, but the only thing gays can't do is get married, and that's only in some states.There's a world of difference between civil rights for blacks versus the LGBT community. We aren't segregating gays. We don't prevent them from voting. We don't count them as 3/5ths of a human.

That's only true because there are no uniquely identufying traits for homosexuality which could make such discrimination possible. Throughout history homosexuality has been subject to much higher social penalties. The spanish enslaved vsrious ethnicities while trying to conquer north America; outed homosexuals were simply killed. This country's vues are rooted in Christianity, which places an absurdly high degree of importance on sexual preference while at the same time in some cases espousing the virtues of racial equality ("let MY people go!").

In short, if it were possible to identify one as homosexual on site the same way one may be identified as black, we know alnost for certain that homosexuals would have been riding the back of the bus in the 60's too; if not walking.

[burrrton]

[edited out- I think I misunderstood what Bob was getting at]

[c_hawkbob]

Rosa Parks stood up (or rather sat down) for something. This guy is a nobody.

It's an almost identical situation. It's all civil rights. The difference is gay rights have been a whole lot slower to be accepted than other civil rights.

I don't see the similarity myself. Rosa stood up against a long standing, systemic, disgusting practice of racial hatred. Maybe I am missing something, but the only thing gays can't do is get married, and that's only in some states.There's a world of difference between civil rights for blacks versus the LGBT community. We aren't segregating gays. We don't prevent them from voting. We don't count them as 3/5ths of a human.

And now Sam is standing up against a long standing, systemic, disgusting practice of homosexual hatred. The only outward difference is as Future said, the inability to readily identify gays as opposed to people of a different skin color.

Rosa was the first (at least famously so) to say "I'm not going to the back of the bus anymore, I'll sit right here" while Sam is the first to say "I'm not going to pretend I'm not anymore, you'll all just have to deal with my being gay". Sorry but the similarities are blatantly obvious.

And IMO it's got nothing to do with who can and can't marry whom.

[PasadenaHawk]

Bob, seriously?!? Sam is the first to admit he is gay?!? LMAO. Seriously, I'm sure you meant first NFL prospect.
I wish you wouldn't have said blatantly obvious as that implies one of us is pretty damn stupid. I don't reckon you are.

I disagree for two reasons. First, I think the difference between civil rights for blacks and gays are miles and miles apart and on so many levels. Forget the racist pigs in the general public for a minute. Think about all the laws every level of our government had on the books that directly targeted people of color. You don't have anything like that regarding gays, except the issue of marriage. And to say gays would be targeted as much as people of color if only folks could have picked them out of the crowd more readily - purely speculative.

Second, Rosa Parks became a symbol during the civil rights movement. This was something that shook this country to its core. Every night images after images on televisions across the country showing violence against blacks, particularly in the south, until laws finally passed. What do you think good ole Sammy's great contribution to the country will be? All praise Sam, the gay guy who paved the road for other gay guys to join the NFL. In all seriousness, I don't see what he is really championing.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say no one will know this guys name in 20 years but Rosa Parks will still be a household name.

[Futureite]

Bob, seriously?!? Sam is the first to admit he is gay?!? LMAO. Seriously, I'm sure you meant first NFL prospect.
I wish you wouldn't have said blatantly obvious as that implies one of us is pretty damn stupid. I don't reckon you are.

I disagree for two reasons. First, I think the difference between civil rights for blacks and gays are miles and miles apart and on so many levels. Forget the racist pigs in the general public for a minute. Think about all the laws every level of our government had on the books that directly targeted people of color. You don't have anything like that regarding gays, except the issue of marriage. And to say gays would be targeted as much as people of color if only folks could have picked them out of the crowd more readily - purely speculative.

Second, Rosa Parks became a symbol during the civil rights movement. This was something that shook this country to its core. Every night images after images on televisions across the country showing violence against blacks, particularly in the south, until laws finally passed. What do you think good ole Sammy's great contribution to the country will be? All praise Sam, the gay guy who paved the road for other gay guys to join the NFL. In all seriousness, I don't see what he is really championing.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say no one will know this guys name in 20 years but Rosa Parks will still be a household name.

50 yrs ago few people admitted they were gay. Many thst did were treated for mental illness. It was not believed to be a phtsical characteristic like skin color, but a disorder that few people had. The public would have questioned a legislatir for propising any laws against homosexuality more than the homosexual his/herself. What you are posting is completely illogical.

[savvyman]

It's all about the money.

Ophra saw an opportunity to make a successful, money making venture off Sam.

Sam saw an opportunity to make money - by receiving some type of cash compensation for the endeavor - an the fact that this time in the TV spotlight will make him a celebrity where he can further pursue building his off field brand for endorsements, appearances and speaking engagements.

If there was no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow then neither Sam nor Ophra would be pursuing this.

[burrrton]

If there was no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow then neither Sam nor Ophra would be pursuing this.

Exactly, and I don't blame Sam for it one bit (I don't give Oprah the same latitude).

[c_hawkbob]

Bob, seriously?!? Sam is the first to admit he is gay?!? LMAO. Seriously, I'm sure you meant first NFL prospect.
I wish you wouldn't have said blatantly obvious as that implies one of us is pretty damn stupid. I don't reckon you are.

I disagree for two reasons. First, I think the difference between civil rights for blacks and gays are miles and miles apart and on so many levels. Forget the racist pigs in the general public for a minute. Think about all the laws every level of our government had on the books that directly targeted people of color. You don't have anything like that regarding gays, except the issue of marriage. And to say gays would be targeted as much as people of color if only folks could have picked them out of the crowd more readily - purely speculative.

Second, Rosa Parks became a symbol during the civil rights movement. This was something that shook this country to its core. Every night images after images on televisions across the country showing violence against blacks, particularly in the south, until laws finally passed. What do you think good ole Sammy's great contribution to the country will be? All praise Sam, the gay guy who paved the road for other gay guys to join the NFL. In all seriousness, I don't see what he is really championing.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say no one will know this guys name in 20 years but Rosa Parks will still be a household name.

Of course the first NFL prospect (any major sport actually), what did you think we were talking about?

[HumanCockroach]

Actually Bob, there was an MLS player and NBA player that came out last year, so first NFL player yes, but not first active pro player. ( and actually couple MLB players came out years ago after retiring ).

[PasadenaHawk]

Bob, seriously?!? Sam is the first to admit he is gay?!? LMAO. Seriously, I'm sure you meant first NFL prospect.
I wish you wouldn't have said blatantly obvious as that implies one of us is pretty damn stupid. I don't reckon you are.

I disagree for two reasons. First, I think the difference between civil rights for blacks and gays are miles and miles apart and on so many levels. Forget the racist pigs in the general public for a minute. Think about all the laws every level of our government had on the books that directly targeted people of color. You don't have anything like that regarding gays, except the issue of marriage. And to say gays would be targeted as much as people of color if only folks could have picked them out of the crowd more readily - purely speculative.

Second, Rosa Parks became a symbol during the civil rights movement. This was something that shook this country to its core. Every night images after images on televisions across the country showing violence against blacks, particularly in the south, until laws finally passed. What do you think good ole Sammy's great contribution to the country will be? All praise Sam, the gay guy who paved the road for other gay guys to join the NFL. In all seriousness, I don't see what he is really championing.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say no one will know this guys name in 20 years but Rosa Parks will still be a household name.

50 yrs ago few people admitted they were gay. Many thst did were treated for mental illness. It was not believed to be a phtsical characteristic like skin color, but a disorder that few people had. The public would have questioned a legislatir for propising any laws against homosexuality more than the homosexual his/herself. What you are posting is completely illogical.

I'm trying to make two points. One being that the fight for equality amongst people of color is in a whole different league than that for gay rights advocates. Secondly, this guy didn't do anything other than come out of the closet, something a million people have done before him. The fact that he is the first NFL prospect to do so hardly catapults this guy into the same status as Rosa Parks, who herself didn't really do much, but was defiant and became a symbol of an amazing cultural revolution that profoundly changed (in a good way) America. In short, if Rosa wore a jockstrap, Sam wouldn't be qualified to sniff it. But I will concede, if Sam had done this 50 years ago, it would have been pretty profound. In the league with Rosa?....still no.

What the heck did I post that was illogical?!? Did I say gays have not been oppressed or something? That by the way wouldn't be an illogical statement, just absurdly naïve. If I'm doing anything illogical, it would be replying to a Niners fan on a Seahawks forum regarding civil rights

[PasadenaHawk]

Of course the first NFL prospect (any major sport actually), what did you think we were talking about?[/quote]

Bob, of course I know what the discussion is. I was ribbing you because if you look back at your previous post, you simply said he is the first to come out. I thought it appropriate to lighten it up a bit. Anyway, I won't convince you anymore than you will convince me on the similarities or lack thereof of these two people so I will let it go.

[PasadenaHawk]

It's all about the money.

Ophra saw an opportunity to make a successful, money making venture off Sam.

Sam saw an opportunity to make money - by receiving some type of cash compensation for the endeavor - an the fact that this time in the TV spotlight will make him a celebrity where he can further pursue building his off field brand for endorsements, appearances and speaking engagements.

If there was no pot of gold at the end of this rainbow then neither Sam nor Ophra would be pursuing this.

100% agreed

[c_hawkbob]

Actually Bob, there was an MLS player and NBA player that came out last year, so first NFL player yes, but not first active pro player. ( and actually couple MLB players came out years ago after retiring ).

You guys and your nits ... he's the first player in any major sport to come out before entering the league. That's the part that makes it historic in the first place; his unwillingness lie/pretend/conform in order to get into the league.

I'm sorry you all feel the need to minimize the situation but I am still of the opinion that this is as significant s civil rights milestone as race relations or women's right to vote or child labor protections. It's evidently just not a popular one.

[PasadenaHawk]

Actually Bob, there was an MLS player and NBA player that came out last year, so first NFL player yes, but not first active pro player. ( and actually couple MLB players came out years ago after retiring ).

You guys and your nits ... he's the first player in any major sport to come out before entering the league. That's the part that makes it historic in the first place; his unwillingness lie/pretend/conform in order to get into the league.

I'm sorry you all feel the need to minimize the situation but I am still of the opinion that this is as significant s civil rights milestone as race relations or women's right to vote or child labor protections. It's evidently just not a popular one.

Bob, speaking for myself, I feel absolutely no need to minimize it. I am just stating my opinion that it is not nearly as significant as you believe it is. Nothing more. Ok, I am a history buff and a closet Rosa Parks fan too. There, I admit it And just to put it out there, I have zero objection to gay rights. I firmly believe in equal rights for all Americans.

[RiverDog]

I don't blame him a bit for taking advantage of this non story. Considering where he was drafted, his chances of making a team are pretty slim, so he might as well get as much mileage out of his 15 seconds of fame as he can.

HC is right, it is a slow news day if this topic gets the number of hits that it did.

[HumanCockroach]

I don't see a difference of opinion on a subject as "minimizing" it. The whole reason I started this thread in the first place was because there were a LOT of opinions on the matter, and because things were slow. I wasn't in anyway trying to minimize a thing. I disagree strongly with the choice to bring a distraction ( ie a reality show) to the team that drafted Sam, and don't see it as something that was necessary to "break barriers" down. Good for Sam for being himself, but Bob while you may see this as a civil rights issue, is it really so hard to see that civil rights issues have varying degrees and levels? I agree with Homosexuals having been and still being discriminated against, but I'm not sold on the "he's the same as Rosa Parks" thing. If for no other reason, than I simply haven't a foggiest if Sam EVER experienced discrimination personally ( and neither do you), I think it is safe to say Parks certainly did. Sam received a scholarship to a university, and was drafted by an NFL team based on his talent level, and has the same opportunity to make that team as any other player drafted by that team. I simply don't see discrimination in any of these instances, do you? Has he been denied a job, or a house, or service because of his preference? Has he had to use other accommodations, come in through different entrances, been beaten, I just simply don't see the same level in that.

If you do, I'm fine with it, but make him more than a football player, who also happens to be gay, seems to me at least to be , the opposite of what equal rights is intended to accomplish, which is as I understand it, to treat every one equally, not put them on a pedestal, or make TV shows about them, or turn them into some sort of super human star.

Yes it took courage to come out, yes he should be true to himself, BUT at the end of the day, does he want to be a football player, or does he want to be famous for being gay? I support his decision to come out, and I do indeed wish him the best, BUT I'm am dissapointed he has made the decision to have the reality program filming him, IF he was Johnny Football, people would be calling it selfish, yet, here we are to laud it, otherwise we are in someway, taking something away from Sam? Sorry, just don't see it that way. Sam's a football player, and I personally feel like he should be judged exactly as such, how many times have someone said his preference should be irrelevant to whether he plays or not? And yet here, his preference is the ONLY thing that matters, and somehow that is correct? I just don't see the logic in that.

[Futureite]

Bob, seriously?!? Sam is the first to admit he is gay?!? LMAO. Seriously, I'm sure you meant first NFL prospect.
I wish you wouldn't have said blatantly obvious as that implies one of us is pretty damn stupid. I don't reckon you are.

I disagree for two reasons. First, I think the difference between civil rights for blacks and gays are miles and miles apart and on so many levels. Forget the racist pigs in the general public for a minute. Think about all the laws every level of our government had on the books that directly targeted people of color. You don't have anything like that regarding gays, except the issue of marriage. And to say gays would be targeted as much as people of color if only folks could have picked them out of the crowd more readily - purely speculative.

Second, Rosa Parks became a symbol during the civil rights movement. This was something that shook this country to its core. Every night images after images on televisions across the country showing violence against blacks, particularly in the south, until laws finally passed. What do you think good ole Sammy's great contribution to the country will be? All praise Sam, the gay guy who paved the road for other gay guys to join the NFL. In all seriousness, I don't see what he is really championing.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say no one will know this guys name in 20 years but Rosa Parks will still be a household name.

50 yrs ago few people admitted they were gay. Many thst did were treated for mental illness. It was not believed to be a phtsical characteristic like skin color, but a disorder that few people had. The public would have questioned a legislatir for propising any laws against homosexuality more than the homosexual his/herself. What you are posting is completely illogical.

I'm trying to make two points. One being that the fight for equality amongst people of color is in a whole different league than that for gay rights advocates. Secondly, this guy didn't do anything other than come out of the closet, something a million people have done before him. The fact that he is the first NFL prospect to do so hardly catapults this guy into the same status as Rosa Parks, who herself didn't really do much, but was defiant and became a symbol of an amazing cultural revolution that profoundly changed (in a good way) America. In short, if Rosa wore a jockstrap, Sam wouldn't be qualified to sniff it. But I will concede, if Sam had done this 50 years ago, it would have been pretty profound. In the league with Rosa?....still no.

What the heck did I post that was illogical?!? Did I say gays have not been oppressed or something? That by the way wouldn't be an illogical statement, just absurdly naïve. If I'm doing anything illogical, it would be replying to a Niners fan on a Seahawks forum regarding civil rights

Maybe I was harsh or used the wrong word, but to me your post appeared "illogical" because you are ignoring the genesis of both slavery and the various laws you referenced which enabled it and other acts of discrimination. The discrimination that black people experienced in this country is rooted in the desire for free labor and the profits derived from it. Our european ancestors accumulated generational wealth from enslaving blacks from many different parts of the world. This in fact still occurs today. Google "slaves of Dubai" to see a modern day example of it. As the black population grew in this country, so did the threat to the generational wealth accumulated by "white" (if such a race existed) patriots. Hense, the laws that you referenced.

There is no relative comparable for homosexuality. The homosexual population is by comparison a small fraction of the black population in this world. There is no geographic area which homosexuals are homogenous to. There was no way to find them, round them up, and enslave them. If there were, they may have experienced a similar plight to those if black peiole. And yes, laws would have been written to coerce them and protect their owner's "property".

All of that said, I do believe that until recently homosexuals have experienced the same level of bigotry as blacks. The difference is, they do not really represent a threat to anyone. No laws need to be written to protect against something that is not a threat. Instead, you get hate crimes and discriminatiin in the workplace. A lot of people in this country are freaked out about our changing demographics and power structure. But no one loses sleep over gay people running the world.

[c_hawkbob]

The "documentary" is kiboshed now anyway (thank God), and yes I see that it was now being referred to as a reality show on the Oprah network rather than an Oprah Wintry documentary as I first saw it characterised, so apologies for that initial correction.

I think Sam needs to fire his agent. That was a terrible bit of advice! As much as I think a documentary, from an historical perspective, would have been defensable I detest the idea of a 7th round draft choice having a reality show. At least 'Hard Knocks" is about the whole team ... but an individual player, especially one that is a reasonable long shot trying to make the team, would have been a joke.

[savvyman]

Looks like it was the Rams Front Office & Coaching Staff that put the Kibosh on the Sam reality show.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000351103/article/michael-sam-docuseries-on-oprah-network-postponed