Quote:His clarification basically points out my main point.  At the time a possible reality show was going to follow him around, and that was beyond the mainstream coverage that would be focused on him.  I can understand why a coach that has to lead a group would think that distracts from the team.

 

http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/07/22/tony-du...m-comments

 

I do not assert Sam would/would not be a distraction.

 

But I do question Dungy's logic on this point.

 

I will not address applying the logic to the first black coaches/players because that has already been addressed.

 

However, I will point out his support for Tebow as problematic for me.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/200...arterback/

 

Now Tebow and his huge following was considered a distraction by the teams who employed him.

 

This begs the question:  if Dungy would be willing to take on Tebow and his legion of followers, why not the circus surrounding Sam?

 

Of course, there is the disparate importance of position (QB vs. OLB/DE) that may have played a role in the application of the logic. There may have been a perceived gap in talent (1st/2nd round QB vs. Mid-late round OLB/DE) which drives the analysis.  In fairness, Dungy may have also changed his mindset regarding distractions since 2009, though I cannot imagine an NFL coach being overly enthusiastic about embracing distractions, especially Dungy, since his teams were largely devoid of them.

 

But in the remarks I have seen from Dungy, he didn't mention either of these as factors in his decision not to draft Sam.

 

Dungy has long been held in high esteem for not only his keen football acumen and coaching abilities, but his willingness to stand publicly for issues of faith.

 

But I fear he has betrayed his public persona a bit and is not being completely forthcoming for his real reasons for not being willing to draft Sam, as evidenced by his willingness to embrace the media circus that Tebow represented.

 

If he didn't want a gay player on his team due to faith based principles, just say so.  But don't hide behind the fig leaf of "avoiding distractions" when he would have taken on a huge one with Tebow.

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