Michael Sam: football player or social activist?

Ramblings from the Press Box

by Cory Smith

 

This country is $16 trillion or so in debt, we have an immigration crisis on our hands, and our political leaders are running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I would think all of the aforementioned and more would be of paramount importance to Americans, but no; the country would rather talk about Michael Sam.

If you don’t know who Michael Sam is, let me take a brief moment to enlighten you.

Mr. Sam is an NFL defensive back for the St. Louis Rams who was drafted from the University of Missouri (Mizzou) in this year’s draft. Shortly after declaring for the NFL draft, Mr. Sam disclosed to the nation that he is homosexual. Mr. Sam became a celebrated celebrity almost overnight; he was heralded as courageous and a “trailblazer” for announcing that he is homosexual on a national stage. He even won the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY Awards sponsored by ESPN. Why? Never mind our troops in war zones who are fighting for our freedom— that’s real courage.

Fast forward to last week, former Indianapolis Colts coach, Tony Dungy was asked if he would’ve drafted Mr. Sam. Dungy replied that he would not have drafted Sam because he felt it would be a distraction in the locker room and in the media relm—not because Sam is gay. Well, all heck has broken loose in the liberal media world; Tony Dungy must hate gay’s right? I literally find it comical that Dungy now has to defend himself and the people over at ESPN are seriously “analyzing” the comments he made.

I do not find the statements made by Dungy controversial in the least bit, the only reason there is hoopla is because Mr. Sam is gay; let’s be real. Dungy has a right to express his opinions and the fact that he is being lambasted for it is the most un-American thing I have ever heard. Let me be clear, I have no problem with gay people; live and let live. What I do have a problem with is that Dungy had to sit down, take time out of his day, and write an official statement to reiterate the fact that he felt drafting Sam would be a media distraction, plain and simple.

Besides, doesn’t all this prove Dungy’s point? Look at the media circus this has turned into. This country has much bigger problems on its hands; yet, we continually fall into the abyss of ridiculous social issues.

Sam needs to stick to his job description: football player. He should leave all the grandiose political theater at home.