In a recent interview with ABC 17, linebacker Michael Sam said that he is planning on pursuing his NFL dream once again. As a part of that effort, Sam explained that he has fired his publicist and agent, ostensibly to show that his primary focus is on football rather than other career opportunities.
Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team, hooked on with the Montreal Alouettes after stints with the Rams and Cowboys. Sam signed with the CFL squad in May, left the team in June citing personal reasons, quickly returned, then in August announced that he would “step away from the game.” Sam’s NFL time was brief and his showing in the NFL’s new veteran combine was not very impressive as he ran, 4.99 second 40-yard dash.
The 25-year-old (26 in January) is currently working for the Mizzou Network and going through “media training” but his ultimate goal will be to make an NFL roster in 2016. When he’s not working in broadcasting or studying for his masters degree, Sam says he’ll be training hard to make his NFL dream come true.
This is getting silly. Would any employer, much less the NFL, hire a person with such a lack of commitment, marginal work ethic & chronic “personal reasons”?
Besides, the college/university “assembly line” has been producing many more talented players during his unremarkable on-and-off career.
NFL teams have overlooked all of those issues (and more!) for exceptionally talented players. I think Sam’s biggest roadblock is that he’s not an all-world talent.
Before he announced that he was gay, Sam was being looked at as a 5th-7th round draft type who could find his niche as a special teams player. If his personal life is in order, it’s possible he could fill that role for an NFL team.
Gay or straight, just not good enough for the NFL.
WHO CARES?