Quote:The hype around Sam was a mid-round pick. The same way you can assume that he only got drafted due to him coming out is the same way some can argue that the only reason he slid was because he did come out and "became a distraction", as Dungy would refer to his drafting. It's not like Sam was a nobody in college, production wise. Guys who had similar production like that in college who lack some physical attributes (see Dillard, Jarrett) get drafted in the 6th-7th round. To say that the only reason Sam got drafted was because of his announcement screams of the agenda of those who do not agree with him coming out.

 

Everyone in Missou knew about Sam. People at the combine were starting to ask. It was going to come out eventually, so he put it out there so that it came from him, rather than as a rumor mill news break from unknown sources. It is no different than what Ace Sanders did ahead of getting suspended. His story was going to be told regardless, he just preferred that people heard it from him instead of a news blurb.

 

So again, I ask...

 

Why is it that there were more protests in NY for when Brooklyn signed Jason Collins than there is when they let him go? This is not a Tebow-like following. Those who supported Collins didn't support him because they think he had a real shot at making a difference in the NBA, and neither is the case with Sam. It is not about being an MVP or an All-Star appearance, its about acceptance for a group of people (especially young teens) who for the longest time fear that they would not be accepted should they reveal who they are amongst their peers.

Again, what rock are you living under?

 

The Jason Collins situation is irrelevant.  When the NBA has the same level of fan interest as the NFL, let me know.  The story flashed, then quickly subsided as the media attention went elsewhere.

 

Sam coming out sparked a reality show on the Oprah Network.  That's why the cameras were there when he celebrated his selection as a 7th round player.  You are certainly entitled to believe the party line that he only came out in the most grand way possible by announcing it on national television because he wanted to head off the rumor mongering.  He could have very easily done the same thing quietly by confirming it if asked by teams at the combine.  By doing it in such a visual way, I tend to think he was just trying to get enough of the spotlight to raise his potential draft stock.  In the end, he was drafted, and there was a distinct possibility coming into the draft that he was going to be a rookie free agent. 

 

To say the potential doesn't exist where he could be considered a distraction is bogus.  The Rams saw this as well, and pretty much shut down his reality show once he was on the team.  Clearly they saw that as a potential distraction.  As players are asked on a daily basis about playing with a gay guy because the media is so overly infatuated with such things, they're going to be put in a position where it could also become a distraction, especially; when you're talking about a guy who's a 7th round pick. 

 

To think the potential doesn't exist in the current climate is just bogus. 

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