Make no mistake...this was a calculated move on Sam’s part.
He is a great college defensive player; in fact, he was co-Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC. But for the NFL, he’s a “tweener.” Not big enough to play DT, not really tall enough for DE and too slow to play OLB. The draft experts put him at no higher than a third round pick.
By coming out before the combine, Sam actually enhances his standing. The NFL will privately “encourage” a team to draft an openly gay player, and there are some “progressive” teams (like the Patriots) who would be happy to oblige. Then, once Sam is in camp, how do you cut the league’s first openly gay player, knowing that it will unleash a media firestorm. Under those circumstances, I can see teams keeping Sam (or putting him on the practice squad) just for public relations value. Likewise, if Sam doesn’t make a roster, he can claim homophobia.
Put another way: Michael Sam’s NFL career (barring injury) will be much longer than if it was based on his talent alone. But he will be a pariah in the locker room; homophobia rules in most NFL club houses. I just finished reading “Collision Low Crossers,” an interesting look at a year in the life of an NFL team (the New York Jets). As I recall, the team has a “two stall rule” at the urinals, meaning you must leave a one-urinal gap between two guys taking a leak at the same time.
Good luck in that environment, Mr. Sam.
“As I recall, the team has a “two stall rule” at the urinals, meaning you must leave a one-urinal gap between two guys taking a leak at the same time.”
That is just a simple “man law.”
For instance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh9OmUDY05I