Quote:
Originally Posted by Baby Lee
First, there's a difference between congratulating him, and insisting that the fact that he is gay, . . . . . . . and drafted is the biggest story of the draft, perhaps the NFL, given his wishes to be 'Michael Sam, football player.'<-- that thing after the 'r' is called a period.
The Goodell matter is an entirely different matter, having to do with Goodell. Don't pretend, just because it's about MS, that Goodell over-inserting his personal preferences into important aspects of the game hasn't been a source of complaint for fans and analysts alike.
As I referenced early on, given MS's express wishes, the best approach is akin to his Mizzou teammates.
MS - I'm gay
Us - Really. Thanks for the info.
- and fin.
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This post is just ignorant of history and social context.
Sam had been on that team for
four years before he came out. He'd had years to establish relationships with fellow players and had become a team leader. There was always going to be a broader level of acceptance since they knew him and had seen him succeed as a player of that team. That's an entirely different scenario than him being selected by a new team in an organization filled with people and players he didn't know.
He wants to be "Michael Sam football player," but that's not a realistic goal given that he is the first person to do this. The outrage over him showing affection with his partner is proof that he can't merely be that. He may want that, but it's a naive goal, and it's not because he's being used as a tool by those who support him, but due to the stigma that exists in the NFL over even wanting to have him on a team. As long as GMs, players, and personnel people are worried about his integration into the team he's still an Other.
Also, you make the assumption that Goodell is over-inserting his personal preference without any proof that he's actually doing so.
You know what his initial statement was?
"Good for him."
And you know what he said five days ago (certainly you do, since you've repeatedly taken it out of context)?
“I want to see Michael Sam get an opportunity to play in the NFL,” Goodell said on ESPN. “We like to say the NFL is the ultimate meritocracy. If you can play football, they want to see you play. The teams want you. The fans want you. And that’s ultimately what it’s all about. I have great respect for Michael, his courage, his decision to become public, and I’m optimistic that he’s going to get that opportunity, and hopefully he can play at this level.”
He said he hopes he can play. He didn't say I hope a team signs and holds on to him. He stated that the NFL is a meritocracy and he's glad that Sam is going to get the opportunity to see if he is meritorious enough to belong.
You're trying to affect an appearance of impartiality regarding Sam, but the way in which you categorize his supporters, his actions and Goodell's words indicate a far different reality.
You're dropping cyanide in every well along the way while claiming Sam's supporters took a shit in it.
It's craven bullshit.