Licht: Sam is not the first gay player

By Kent SomersSat Feb 22, 2014 8:54 PMINDIANAPOLIS - If the Cardinals drafted Missouri linebacker Michael Sam, coach Bruce Arians would have no worries about how the NFL’s first openly gay player would be treated by teammates and coaches.He and a handful of NFL general managers said they have coached, worked or played with gay players before, just not one who has come out publicly. They were accepted by players and coaches without problem.“He’s not the first,” said Tampa Bay General Manager Jason Licht, “not the first NFL, not the first college. In my experience, it’s been kind of a moot issue. I’ve been lucky to be in organizations with strong locker rooms, strong staffs, a strong coach, where it hasn’t been an issue.”That was echoed by several other coaches, including Arians.But what concerns the Cardinals coach is how opposing fans might treat Sam.“None of that matters in the locker room,” Arians said. “Every locker room I’ve been in, it’s been all about winning. If you had a hand in us winning, and you were different, guys accepted it.“Fans? That’s a very different story. I’ve walked into stadiums where gentlemen are teaching their sons how to moon the bus and moms are teaching their daughters what their middle fingers are for, and it’s not a ring. That scares me more, what’s going to be said from the stands. The locker room won’t be a problem.”Sam’s teammates and coaches at Missouri knew he was gay, and it was no big deal to them. Fearing that others might “out” him, Sam took control of his story, telling the New York Times and ESPN last week that he was gay.So reporters were spread wide and deep around the podium when Sam spoke on Saturday at the scouting combine.In his allotted 15 minutes, Sam displayed a sense of humor, humility and perspective that would serve any pro prospect well, gay or not“Well, heck yeah, I wish you guys would just say, ‘Michael Sam, how’s football going? How’s training going?’ ” Sam said. “But it is what it is. And I just wish you guys would just see me as Michael Sam the football player instead of Michael Sam the gay football player.”That’s not possible because of Sam’s decision to reveal his sexual orientation, but he seems prepared for the inevitable media storm/circus that will visit the team that drafts him.At the combine, no team official has asked Sam about being gay, which would violate NFL policy.But the focus on Sam, the football player, also fits with comments made a couple of days ago by Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim.“This is a big issue across the country, and you might think GMs would be talking to each other and it would be a big topic. And it’s actually not,” Keim said. “I haven’t had one conversation with a GM or other personnel guy about the situation.“I just want to see how he moves on the field, what he runs and what kind of player he is on tape.”Sam doesn’t anticipate problems with teammates. Men in any locker room tease and insult each other.But coexisting in that atmosphere means recognizing when lines are crossed. That apparently didn’t happen in Miami with the bullying scandal involving offensive linemen Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito.“If someone wants to call me a name, I’ll have a conversation with that guy and hopefully it won’t lead to nothing else,” Sam said. “I’ve been in locker rooms where all kinds of slurs have been said, and I don’t think anyone means it. But as time goes on everyone will adapt.”As time goes on, it’s possible Sam will be asked more about his football ability than his sexual orientation. For now, he’s comfortable with the personal questions, and he handled Saturday’s press conference with aplomb.“A trailblazer?” he replied to a question. “I feel like I’m Michael Sam.”