Free Republic

Once Michael Sam is drafted in the NFL, the Missouri defensive end will be judged strictly on whether he can play and whether he can help his team win. Everything else—even that he’s gay—will be trivial. As the first openly homosexual player to enter the draft, Sam could face scrutiny unlike any player before him. But many of the greatest players and coaches in football history don’t believe he’ll be subjected to any hatred, harassment, discrimination or bullying by teammates. “I don’t think he’ll have any problem in the locker room. I don't think he’ll have any problems on the...

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- Al Davis turned to a familiar face to turn the Oakland Raiders around after the worst three-year stretch since he joined the franchise more than four decades ago. Davis hired Art Shell for his second stint as Raiders coach Friday night, one day after Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt became the latest candidate to tell the team he didn't want the job. Shell, a long shot when the 5 1/2 -week search began after Norv Turner was fired Jan. 3, first talked to Davis about taking the job last week. The 59-year-old Shell met most...