The problem is that while Sam is a good prospect, he's not a great one. While starring as a defensive end for the Tigers, Sam was asked to play linebacker at the Senior Bowl and he struggled with the position change, showing limited flexibility and fluidity. This fact could limit him to the defensive end position in the traditional 4-3 alignment, further complicating his stock.
And while NFL teams may be more willing to accept a gay player in 2014, there remains a bit of a don't-ask-don't-tell policy. By announcing his personal lifestyle, Sam made it public. And with that announcement, Sam is inviting the media and by extension the public to follow his journey into the NFL.
Sam's homosexuality isn't the point. There are gay players in the NFL now and almost surely teammates, coaches and front office executives who know about them. But by coming out, Sam turned a very bright spotlight on himself.
And the reality is teams would rather the bright lights shine on their superstars on game day. Any club drafting Sam would add distractions for players, and teams normally work to avoid any distraction.
If you want to know why Tim Tebow was on the outside of the NFL looking in this past season, this is why. Sam, like Tebow, has been a great college player. Not all great college players make it in the NFL and Sam might be too small to be a defensive end in the NFL, but a step slow to be a linebacker. Some team will give him a chance to play, but it's possible that he'll not be much of a factor in the league. And just as Tebow became a big distraction for reasons that don't have much to do with his ability on the field, Sam is now in a similar position, for different reasons. I hope he ends up in the NFC North, because it would be interesting to watch this unfold up close.
4 comments:
maybe 'the Bears' might be a fitting jersey for him to wear, but it wont happen. drama isnt welcome there.
I see what you did there, Gino. Heh.
Actually, I've read that the Bears would consider him, but I suspect you're right. I would guess that he'll end up someplace where they have a long-standing player philosophy. Within the division, that would be Green Bay, but I suspect it's more likely he ends up in New England or maybe Pittsburgh.
I'd be very surprised if he were drafted by the Lions; I could see the Vikes taking him to take the heat off of the team and its decision to retain Mike Preifer, the special teams coach who has been getting the j'accuse treatment from Chris Kluwe.
It's so courageous of him to pester us with teh gay.
W.B.
What W.B. said. Another interesting thing I looked up today is his family life--one brother dead, one brother missing, two in jail, we are talking seriously ugly. Glad that he's got his degree and a chance at life, but there could be a lot more drama lurking under there than anyone would guess.
And I hate to say this, but given this and the well deserved reputation of athletes for fornication (Magic Johnson anyone), I've got to dare suggest that, like the porn industry, the pro leagues are going to need to introduce periodic testing of players to protect themselves. 20% of urban homosexuals carry a rather nasty gift that keeps on giving, according to the CDC, after all.
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