Judging by common opinion, when Michael Sam appeared before a sea of reporters early Saturday morning at the NFL Scouting Combine, he presented as the normal, excited young NFL prospect that he is.
The only nod to his sexuality that has dominated so many headlines since mid-February was small "Stand With Sam" patch on his combine gear. In a brief opening statement in which he referenced the patch, Sam said "I hope all you guys stand with Sam ... please do," Sam said. "I went to a basketball game against Tennessee, a very kind lady gave it to me. I gave her a hug, I got a lot of support out there."
Since Sam's personality has begun to be documented by the media, he has shown himself to be a calm, positive man who has embraced the support and ignored the criticism sent his way since the announcement. Not once in his speaking with the media Saturday did he say anything negative or even questioning about, the league, its personnel or any comments made in regards to him or his sexual orientation.
Instead he verbalized his wish that he be treated as if there is nothing different between him and the other prospects. To him, his name this week is simply DL 42, his combine jersey tag. He is thinking this way because just like all those other prospects, he is simply yet another man vying for a spot in the most prestigious Football League in the world. His being gay should have nothing to do with that. And yet he knows how much of a big deal this is. He is the first after all.
"Heck yeah, I wish you guys would tell me, 'Michael Sam, how's football going?'" Sam said. "I would love for you to ask me that question, but it is what it is. And I just wish you guys would see me as Michael Sam, the football player, instead of Michael Sam, the gay football player."
Additionally, Sam has also said on multiple occasions that he would be content with any team drafting them so long as they knew about his being gay. Having a team know about him before drafting him was something Sam said was key in his decision to come out.
He repeated that when a reporter asked him what his reaction would be to a team like the Dolphins drafting him given their recent pattern of bullying.
"If [the] Miami Dolphins drafted me, I would be excited to be a part of that organization," Sam said. "I'm not afraid about going into that environment. I know how to handle myself, I know how to communicate with my teammates, I know how to communicate with coaches ... and whoever I need to communicate with."
As for dealing with anyone who has a problem with him, Sam knows how to deal with them too. After he came out, he shared a story about how in high school a man used a racial slur to insult Sam. Sam immediately proceeded to respond angrily to the comment and reported the man to the school.
As he moves into the NFL, his comfort with knowing how to build a relationship with coaches and other higher officials is something that makes you feel happy for him as he tackles this barrier against homosexual athletes head on.
But he has not been drafted yet. Sam knows that, we all know that and so, how he performs in this upcoming NFL combine will be critical. But more so, he has already shown to the world his talents and judging by those alone deserves heavy consideration for a spot on any one of an NFL team's draft card.
"I am not a GM, I do not have control over my draft status," Sam said. "All I can control is preparing myself to get the best scores out there ... I'm a pass rusher, if you put me in a situation to get the quarterback, I'm going to get the quarterback. Whoever the coaches, the GMs, this league is a passing league, I like to believe in myself as a good pass rusher."
Michael Sam is a renowned SEC athlete who will go into this draft and hopefully next season looking to be the first gay man in the history of professional sports to log actual game time.
In many progressive parts of the United States, he is already a hero and someone many hope to rally around and cheer on for years to come.
**For more on Michael Sam click the Michael Sam tag below this article
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