If you haven’t heard by now, NFL draft prospect Michael Sam announced to the media today that he is gay. It goes without saying that this will be a vigorously discussed topic for the next few months leading up to the draft (and beyond). There is already plenty of debate about whether or not this will negatively effect his draft stock. Today on ESPN, both Jerome Bettis and Ryan Clark shared their opinions, and both were supportive.
Bettis said that he thinks 90-95 percent of NFL players will welcome Sam. “I think this is the perfect opportunity for the NFL to now make this a point to communicate to every NFL team now you have to understand, now you have to bring these players to this moment,” Bettis said on SportsCenter. Adding, “For him to make it public that he is gay, the key word is he knows who he is and he’s comfortable with who he is. I think that sends the message that it is OK and I think that’s what everyone needs to take from that. It is OK that he is gay and wants to play football in the NFL.”
Lastly, the former Steelers running back said, “You’re always going to have one or two guys that feel strongly in a different capacity but that’s going to be in any situation you deal with. You understand that and hope those players allow him to be in that locker room and give him the respect he deserves being in the locker room.”
Steelers Safety Ryan Clark expressed optimism, and concerns about the situation. “If he’s willing to put his hand in the pile and be a part of the solution to winning a championship and winning football games, then guys will accept him,” said Clark. “The one thing we know about NFL locker rooms and NFL teams is it’s the ultimate team sport and you want that camaraderie, you want that chemistry,” Clark told ESPN via telephone. “I think before he steps into a locker room people will talk to leaders in the locker room, leaders on their team to see how do they plan to accept him as a teammate.”
“This is the thing people have to understand about NFL locker rooms: It’s a lot of ornery veterans,” Clark said. “There’s a lot of veterans that don’t like talking to rookies. There’s a lot of veterans that don’t really mingle with guys coming in playing their positions or guys they feel like haven’t earned their spots. So we’ve had situations where there are veterans that don’t talk to the young guys or that don’t necessarily accept them until they’ve proven themselves in certain ways.”
Clark went on to say that he thinks people will need to be careful to not judge guys who don’t come out openly supporting Sam, as opposing him. “For a lot of guys it’s going to take some time to get used to that has never been through this situation. For us, it’s about being patient with the whole process and allowing the guy to play football.”
Here’s my take: Sam was in an awkward place before this announcement. He’s a good pass rusher, but he isn’t very easy to find a place for on a NFL team. He’s essentially a 4-3 DE who’s predominately a third down pass rush specialist. You’re going to hear lots of people asking if the Steelers will or should draft him. The easy answer is- probably not, and it has nothing to do with who he kisses goodnight. He doesn’t have the size to be a 3-4 DE, and I don’t believe he is likely a good candidate to convert to OLB due to mechanics.