First gay player drafted by NFL - Who cares?

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 11 May 2014 01:02:57 -0400

I'm for gay rights and equality, but why is it a big deal that a gay collegiate player (Michael Sam) was drafted (besides "it's news worthy") by the NFL?

Why should we be subjected to someone's sexuality? (I know, I don't have to watch)

When will the first polygamist, sadomasochist, or beastiologist(?) be drafted? (See? Who cares?)

Someone PLEASE help me understand this...I'm open for learning/understanding.

Can just another football player be drafted...or a servicemember just serve, without having to be a gay servicemember?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 1:12 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 01:12:51 -0400

Agreed. Hire, recognize, promote, etc. on the grounds of capabilities and accomplishment. Other factors are irrelevant and distract/detract from the accomplishments.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made May 11 at 2014 1:35 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Sun, 11 May 2014 01:35:22 -0400

Im already tired of hearing about it. It's on ESPN right now....AGAIN! It's going to make me not want to watch football this year because instead of it being about football its going to be about "the 1st gay guy too....start in the NFL, make a tackle in the NFL, make an interception in the NFL, recover a fumble...blah blah blah."
They keep showing him kissing his boyfriend over and over. How many repeats did we see of anyone else kissing their girl friend? They want to be equal then stop glamorizing everything you do and running to the spotlight.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made May 11 at 2014 1:58 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Sun, 11 May 2014 01:58:19 -0400

Slow news day

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 2:50 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 02:50:08 -0400

I like CPT Roland's answer. Short, succinct and to the point. I did like Michael Sam's comments on the phone interview though, you could see he was trying to deflect from the LGBT issue and make it about football.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 2:57 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 02:57:55 -0400

On a deeper note, I think our (meaning the world in general) need to label everything is the bigger problem today. It started with race, then gender, ethnicity, religion, and now sexual orientation. All of those things are only a part of who someone is, but it should not define who someone is. Are accomplishments and failures are also a part of who we are, so should we label people as for that as well? Like you, I'd love for someone to break it down for me. Can I get some TDY so we can have a "conference" on this? I can recommend a GREAT hotel in Bahrain!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 3:24 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 03:24:00 -0400

MSG- it's a fair question to ask "who cares"? I also think that the news cycle goes overboard on these things and creates overexposure.

That said, I think it's important to talk about this subject within reason. It's pretty easy for one to say "I'm for gay rights" when it has little or no context in one's daily life (not saying you don't, but just in general). But the fact is that being gay was, up until a few years ago, regarded as just reason for involuntary discharge from the military and was a social taboo.

Discrimination of any sort isn't acceptable. And the attitude that we should just ignore it and it'll go away is lethargic at best. That said, there is a limit of exposure where it becomes a bit much (like this NFL player), but the opposite extreme (closing our eyes and hoping it disappears) would be just as bad in my opinion.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made May 11 at 2014 10:13 AM

SFC Christopher Perry — Sun, 11 May 2014 10:13:58 -0400

Who cares about his sexual orientation? Once he hits that field, all that matters is his ability to play the game. I promise he is not the first gay player in the NFL. He is merely the first to be openly gay when drafted.

Now, if he hits the news feeds in a few years because he really is that darn good, that is another thing all together. But the press he receives at that point will be for something that matters in the game of football. Then I will pay attention.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made May 11 at 2014 10:19 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Sun, 11 May 2014 10:19:00 -0400

I am hopeful that within the next couple of days that the whole situation will fade to the background, at least till training camp starts....while I am glad to see that someone has given him the opportunity, far too many people wanted to hold the NFL and it's teams accountable if he wasn't drafted simply because he is gay. Those same people apparently are not football fans because if they were, they would no that his skill set as defensive player while they were good for the college game, they don't translate well to the pro game, much as Tim Tebow's didn't. That is the biggest problem I had, those in the LGBT community were going to raise holy hell had he not been drafted because they were already geared up to label the NFL as homophobic; Chris Kluwe (sp?) former punter for the Vikings and outspoken supporter for Gay Rights even tweeted that the NFL and it's teams had not drafted him yet because they were anti-gay, before the draft had even ended. So now he has his opportunity to make a team, and I wish him the best of luck in his pursuit of his dream. I only hope that he makes or doesn't make the team based upon his football abilities and not his sexual orientation.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 11:03 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 11:03:39 -0400

The media, they are shameless. Anything to set themselves to the side. They no more care about this topic than the next. They are especially fond of the salacious and are fixated on it. The end! lol

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 11:44 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 11:44:48 -0400

IMHO opinion, its Football. How much more do you think they have matured or evolved from the High School locker room? If I would have to guess not much. They are the Ultimate Jocks. And we all know how Jocks were in HS. Some of us might have been those jocks, some of us might have been at the butt end of their jokes etc. When we transitioned from HS we went off to College or joined the Army etc. Some well stayed in that same locker room, except of HS it was college then the NFL.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 11:46 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 11:46:35 -0400

All the other players have been described by their position. Sam is described by his sexual orientation. I don't even know what position he plays because the media is more concerned with his personal life.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 12:08 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 12:08:40 -0400

He was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, so obiviously he is good at his. But, like everyone else, who cares. All that is going to matter is this: CAN YOU HELP GET MY TEAM TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!??? That is all that will matter. To quote a line from Dirty Harry: Magnum Force- If half everyone shot as well as they did, I wouldnt care if the whole (police) dept was queer

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made May 11 at 2014 12:16 PM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Sun, 11 May 2014 12:16:41 -0400

It is constantly being thrown in our face. Ironic how those that preach tolerance are the most intolerant of mainstream views. We have become a country of the minority majority. Only the small views matter.

Response by SFC Lamont Womack made May 11 at 2014 12:18 PM

SFC Lamont Womack — Sun, 11 May 2014 12:18:22 -0400

Why is this a big deal? Ask the millions of kids out there who are afraid to be who they are because they are afraid they will be bullied and picked on. Ask the millions of people who are afraid to be who they are because they are afraid they would be denied a job. Regardless of how negative anybody feels about it, him being drafted gives people hope. This lets people know they don't have to be afraid to be who they are.

I mean isn't that why we all wear/wore the uniform; to ensure people can have freedom and be who they are? I applaud the NFL and the news outlets for making it a big deal. Racism, bigotry, sexism and all the other isms don't just go away because people who have the privilege of not experiencing them don't want to talk about it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 1:31 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 13:31:55 -0400

I've recently had something of a change of opinion on this... I used to always say, "who cares about someone's sexuality" - and meant that as a good thing, ie, I'm not judging anyone. Then I realized, I can only say that because I'm not gay. Of course it means nothing to me, it has no impact on my life. This would be the same as a white person saying, "who cares about race" back in the 60s. It's easy to say, "who cares" when it doesn't directly impact you. However, I'm betting there are a lot of young, gay athletes around the US right now who find this draft very meaningful.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 12 at 2014 8:14 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 12 May 2014 08:14:10 -0400

"When will the first polygamist, sadomasochist, or beastiologist(?)"

Who says they haven't?

Response by SSG Terry Welch made May 12 at 2014 11:31 AM

SSG Terry Welch — Mon, 12 May 2014 11:31:43 -0400

Something tells me that, if you're comparing homosexuality to bestiality, you're not actually very "open for learning/understanding."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2014 12:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 May 2014 12:31:37 -0400

It is interesting to read the many different viewpoints. There are a couple of reasons why this is significant beyond a person got a job. No openly gay player has ever been drafted into the NFL prior to this point. So, if we completely disregard that this is progress then we really go backwards as a nation. It is important to acknowledge that people have died over their sexual orientation. All arguments aside about lifestyle, choice, genetics and any other argument for or against...people have been killed simply because of this. Dismissing this as "It doesn't matter if he is gay, it matters whether or not he can play" is similar to discounting all of the firsts in our nation that have brought us to were we are today.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2014 12:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 May 2014 12:33:11 -0400

People need to realize that the Rams chose a DE. His sexual orientation has nothing to do with his performance on the field. When the rubber meets the road it is going to be his performance that makes the cut, not who he goes home to!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 12 at 2014 12:44 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 12 May 2014 12:44:44 -0400

Not me. No one else would care about this guy if he did not come out? I think his agent was wise to find something to give this guy a chance.

Response by SFC Matthew Parker made May 12 at 2014 1:43 PM

SFC Matthew Parker — Mon, 12 May 2014 13:43:57 -0400

The NFL can take a lesson from the military on this one,
In Iraq prior to the change of policy on gays in the military I accompanied our Deputy CG on a visit to a unit that was doing some great work in country.

When we arrived I was introduced to a young E-4 who was gay. It was not announced, posted or on his name tag, but it was well known by everyone in the unit. He was as "open" as you could be without signing a statement to the fact.

Now I did wonder how our old school DCG would react when he met the soldier, shook his hand and coined him for his outstanding work. Was he going to be uncomfortable around him, ignore him or say something to me later. I'm sure the NFL is asking itself right about now what affect this player is going to have on his peers in the locker room.

Well the boss shook his hand, had a conversation with the soldier, coined him and did say something to me later, he said "wish we had more like him"

He was gay, everyone knew it and no one cared. He was valued for his professionalism and ability to get the job done. I can only hope the players of the NFL can be the same towards this rookie. Not gay rookie, just rookie.

I'm sure the religious right will boycott something and quote some scripture about gays but as long as we understand they are the fringe and no longer the main stream of our culture the game will go on.

The players like to say they "do battle in the trenches every Sunday" well from someone who did battle everyday I can tell you my worries were not on the soldier next to me being gay. I don't care.. but I'm glad were talking about it.

Response by SSgt James Stanley made May 12 at 2014 3:58 PM

SSgt James Stanley — Mon, 12 May 2014 15:58:04 -0400

Not I. He's a big boy and can make his own choices.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made May 12 at 2014 9:10 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 12 May 2014 21:10:24 -0400

I argue he is not the "first openly gay player in the NFL." He is the first CELEBRATED gay player in the NFL.
When did becoming openly gay mean announcing it on national television? Everyone has said there are plenty of gays in the NFL. Do you think their teammates dont know that? Yes they do, that's why we know there are gays in the NFL. The are openly gay, they are also private about their private lives as everyone else should be.
Just because someone isn't parading themselves around every media news outlet doesn't mean they aren't "openly gay." They are just normal people and dont want the whole nation all up in their kook-aide.
Most people become famous for what they do i.e. Anderson Cooper and he just happens to be gay. He does not make a spectacle out of it. Michael Sam is famous because he is gay, not because he is a good football player. It is even highly likely he won't even make the team. This is bad because of how he handled this whole thing if he doesn't make the team, it won't be because he wasn't good enough it will be because he is gay. (in the media's eyes) Also if he does make the team it will be because he is gay either because the Rams are scared of the bad publicity or because they want the positive media attention. Unfortunately what it will never be about is his ability to play football.

Response by TSgt Mark Vaughn made May 13 at 2014 11:56 AM

TSgt Mark Vaughn — Tue, 13 May 2014 11:56:08 -0400

I think what society and the Media have been conditioned to think is that Bigotry and intolerance only goes one direction. Here is a half way decent football player being lauded as a "Hero" because he came out. If we don't agree with the fact that he's a Hero then we are bigoted and or intolerant of his sexual preferences. When he should only be judged by his performance on the field. It was a bold move by his agent that moved him into the limelight and moved him up in the draft not by the ability he has to play a professional sport but by what he does in the bedroom. That shows you just how shallow our society has become. I'm disgusted with the fact that they are calling this child a Hero...But i don't know him. Maybe he has saved kittens from a burning house or taken a bullet for someone and then maybe he could be called a hero. If he single handedly wins a super bowl then maybe just maybe I'll think of him as a hero. What he does like millions and millions of others throughout time in his private life I could care less. I am the father of 5 children, one of my son's is Gay. So what, he's not looking to be recognized for the way he is, he is a honor roll student because he puts in the work. He goes into school early to talk to teachers when he doesn't get something, he stays late when he doesn't get something so that he can be seen as an intelligent man not a Gay man who happens to be a straight A student. He want's to make in in this world based on his own merit not by how society thinks he's a game changer or a "hero". This whole thing just makes me sick to my stomach. What have we become as a society when we judge human beings not by their merit but by what they do in their private lives and who they do it with. Ok I'm done with my rant! Thanks for listening.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2014 12:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 May 2014 12:35:21 -0400

MSG Quick, to say who cares about this is the same in my opinion as saying who cares that years ago a lady sat down in the wrong section of the bus.

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 14 at 2014 5:54 PM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 17:54:00 -0400

Do you honestly think he's the first?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 14 at 2014 7:52 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 19:52:45 -0400

It is tiring to keep having statistics thrown in our faces. The first of this race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. to accomplish something - its way beyond old.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 9:54 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:54:52 -0400

It's all a publicity stunt. He's playing in the CFL now anyways so it didn't do much for the NFL.