On the heels of Michael Sam’s decision to come out as gay, at least one unnamed General Manager boldly predicted Sam would be undrafted.NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith had an even stronger assessment for any General Managers who say things about Sam without attaching their names to it.“[W]hen you contrast a group of anonymous G.M.’s against a 24-year-old college player, it seems like only one of them had the guts to put his name behind his message,” Smith told CSN Washington. “So my first reaction has nothing to do with Michael Sam. My reaction is to call those G.M.’s for what they are: They’re gutless. And if a young man has the courage to stand up and put his name and his face to talk about what he thinks is important, I would expect that a grown man can do exactly the same thing. But apparently they can’t.”Smith expressed optimism regarding the manner in which Sam will be received by other members of the union, once he’s on a team.“I have a tremendous amount of respect and expectation for our young man and some of our not-so-young men in our locker rooms,” Smith said. “We believe that the locker room, as much of a locker room as it is, it’s a workplace. And I think the expectation for all of our young men is to treat every person in their workplace with respect.”If there are any problems, the NFLPA will be ready to act.“With both feet,” Smith said. “This isn’t a union that has had a tough time stepping in with two feet to protect the interests of its players. If there ever came a time where we believe that there was a need for us to do something for this player or any player similarly situated, I’m sure the league wouldn’t be surprised to see a letter from me coming across their desk.”The situation could get dicey if Sam is facing harassment from another member of the union. In those situations, both men are entitled to protection and representation by the NFLPA.It’s the same problem the union faced in the Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito situation. Frankly, it’s the same problem any union faces when one member of the union is accused of breaking workplace rules when interacting with another member of the union.
Link: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/10/demaurice-smith-calls-anonymous-general-managers-who-criticize-michael-sam-gutless/ I wonder how he feels about anonymous internet posters.
This one is good too:
While employers line up to talk about how accepting they’ll be to openly gay draft prospect Michael Sam, the president of the players union said he doesn’t think it will be a problem in the locker room.“I know that the union will accept him with open arms, as will our players,” NFLPA president Domonique Foxworth said, via ESPN.Foxworth acknowledged the Missouri defensive end might encounter some “difficult patches,” he thought players would accept him.“The team’s gonna build up around their teammate, and it’s going to galvanize the team,” Foxworth said. “Everyone’s talking about how this could disrupt the locker room. Some NFL locker rooms need disrupting, to be frank. Coaches go through a lot of different things to try to build a bond between the team, and what’s going to build a bond more than having a player that all the guys know is kind of a target for opposing fans and maybe a target for opposing players?“That type of stuff is what makes you build up around a guy, and Missouri seemed to have a pretty good season. So I expect whatever team he goes to is not going to be adversely affected. If anything, they could be positively affected by adding a man like that.”The fact Sam confided in his Missouri teammates last August, and they had a 12-2 season while he recorded 11.5 sacks speaks to the fact it’s possible. Having the union behind him doesn’t hurt, either.
“With both feet,” Smith said.I wonder if he thinks that actually helps Sam out? He basically just said you have to treat Sam with kid gloves or we'll make problems.
.....Who else wants to bet one of them was Hickey?
RaceBaiter pulling out the BigotCard.
He was a mid round pick to begin with. The ensuing media circus will probably scare a few teams away as well. I don't think it is a reach to say he might go undrafted. It's not about his sexual orientation either. It's about reality. What happens if a team drafts him in the 5th round or later and doesn't make the cut because he doesn't excel at a position in the NFL? The media would crucify that team. You think any NFL owner wants that? If anything, it's the media and society that will ultimately hurt this kid, not the perceived intolerance of the NFL.
He had 11.5 sacks last year and was the co-Defensive Player of the Year for the SEC. There's no way he goes undrafted.
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
He had 11.5 sacks last year and was the co-Defensive Player of the Year for the SEC. There's no way he goes undrafted.
There won't be ANY Delay of Game penalties when he plays.RBs, WRs, & QBs that get tackled by him will be scrambling to jump to their feet so It doesn't lay on top of them....
He had 11.5 sacks last year and was the co-Defensive Player of the Year for the SEC. There's no way he goes undrafted.
There won't be ANY Delay of Game penalties when he plays.RBs, WRs, & QBs that get tackled by him will be scrambling to jump to their feet so It doesn't lay on top of them....
Gay bashers always bashing gays even though it doesn't interfere with their life unless they let it bother them. Sorry sweetie, but not every gay guy wants you. Just like you don't want every girl and just like every girl doesn't want you. You should learn how the world works, sweetie.
He was a mid round pick to begin with. The ensuing media circus will probably scare a few teams away as well. I don't think it is a reach to say he might go undrafted. It's not about his sexual orientation either. It's about reality. What happens if a team drafts him in the 5th round or later and doesn't make the cut because he doesn't excel at a position in the NFL? The media would crucify that team. You think any NFL owner wants that? If anything, it's the media and society that will ultimately hurt this kid, not the perceived intolerance of the NFL.
Someone said today that if your team can't handle the media attention then they were probably going to suck on the field anyhow. It was pretty funny when put like that.
I don't pay much mind when they won't put their names with it.
TheChronicHotAir...would love to see you say any of these things to Sam's face. Of course you wouldn't, its much easier to be a bigot behind your keyboard.
TheChronicHotAir...would love to see you say any of these things to Sam's face. Of course you wouldn't, its much easier to be a bigot behind your keyboard.
No, he's not actually a bigot. He's just trolling. He's like the Ann Coulter of the board, saying outrageous things just to get a rise out of people. Then some people think he's serious and get all confused.If we all sat down and thought about it for a moment, we'd realize that Ann Coulter is possibly the most brilliant comedian of the past 20 years.
I don't pay much mind when they won't put their names with it.
I bet he throws a football like glennon.Jk, jk...had too.
