February 10, 201412 yr I'd like to see the Bengals draft him. They need a quality speed rusher. For those doubters out there, take a look at the highlights of the Missouri-Georgia game, or when Sam's strip of the ball with a minute to go in the game made the Tigers a winner over Okla State in the Cotton Bowl. Guy makes big plays.
February 10, 201412 yr Maybe so, but he was the SEC DPOY. I'm sorry, but if you're good enough to win that award, you're good enough to be in the NFL. Cannot convince me otherwise. SEC, I thought that has been conference was over rated, along with over rated players. they couldn't even win the BCS Championship this year.
February 10, 201412 yr Just heard he is 24 years old already. Could that hurt his stock? I don't believe so. He was a 5th year, redshirt senior. So while a little old, nothing too out of the ordinary. These guys are not signed for 10 year deals anyways.
February 10, 201412 yr The GM's need to concentrate on "play" not "gay." Than why did he announce it now? He has put the GM's in a tough spot, if he had not chosen to announce it before the draft, then he the GM's would have had nothing else to focus on except "play." Or announce it two years ago so the shock value is over. I think he decided to "be a pioneer for gay athletes" at this particular time so that he may have a better chance of being drafted. There may be more selfishness to this announcement than we realize.
February 10, 201412 yr Than why did he announce it now? He has put the GM's in a tough spot, if he had not chosen to announce it before the draft, then he the GM's would have had nothing else to focus on except "play." Or announce it two years ago so the shock value is over. I think he decided to "be a pioneer for gay athletes" at this particular time so that he may have a better chance of being drafted. There may be more selfishness to this announcement than we realize. Definitely the first time I've ever heard that angle. Opening yourself up to ridicule and bullying is now considered selfish...whodathunkit.
February 10, 201412 yr Than why did he announce it now? He has put the GM's in a tough spot, if he had not chosen to announce it before the draft, then he the GM's would have had nothing else to focus on except "play." Or announce it two years ago so the shock value is over. I think he decided to "be a pioneer for gay athletes" at this particular time so that he may have a better chance of being drafted. There may be more selfishness to this announcement than we realize. How in the world is there anything selfish about what he did? You realize how much scrutiny he's going to be under now?
February 10, 201412 yr Playing devil's advocate here, why is it so unlikely that the guy was throwing this out there now? Liberation? Or to roll the dice that it helps his stock? I know we all want to believe that every team in the league drafts on talent alone, but like stated earlier, it would have surfaced eventually, better now than later. Is it impossible that if a team thinks he's on par with another draftee that they'd go his route in a PR move? Undoubtedly they'd field questions after fact with the pat answers "we drafted a good football player" which would say without stating that they don't care about anything else and it was cool by them? Seriously, is that so far fetched that an agent hasn't thought of those things? Is there truth that any pub in this area is good pub? Name recognition?
February 10, 201412 yr Playing devil's advocate here, why is it so unlikely that the guy was throwing this out there now? Liberation? Or to roll the dice that it helps his stock? I know we all want to believe that every team in the league drafts on talent alone, but like stated earlier, it would have surfaced eventually, better now than later. Is it impossible that if a team thinks he's on par with another draftee that they'd go his route in a PR move? Undoubtedly they'd field questions after fact with the pat answers "we drafted a good football player" which would say without stating that they don't care about anything else and it was cool by them? Seriously, is that so far fetched that an agent hasn't thought of those things? Is there truth that any pub in this area is good pub? Name recognition? After hearing so many former players say things like the NFL locker room would not be a kind place for an openly gay player, who in their right mind would think this would benefit him?
February 10, 201412 yr Than why did he announce it now? He has put the GM's in a tough spot, if he had not chosen to announce it before the draft, then he the GM's would have had nothing else to focus on except "play." Or announce it two years ago so the shock value is over. I think he decided to "be a pioneer for gay athletes" at this particular time so that he may have a better chance of being drafted. There may be more selfishness to this announcement than we realize. Some will 100% dismiss what you are saying here, PP1. I will not. I'll admit that I have thought that maybe there is an angle here by Sam. What I come back to is this: If it came out that he was angling in some way to impact his draft stock, that would be devastating for his career and would not be worth the potential risk.
February 10, 201412 yr How in the world is there anything selfish about what he did? You realize how much scrutiny he's going to be under now? No because everything that I have seen on ESPN and read on the web is praising him for being a pioneer. For having courage. For not being afraid. For taking a stand. Buster Olney compared him to Jackie Robinson.
February 10, 201412 yr Also this could be if he doesn't get drafted a discrimination lawsuit. SEC defensive player of the year not drafted. Has to be because he said he was gay.
February 10, 201412 yr No because everything that I have seen on ESPN and read on the web is praising him for being a pioneer. For having courage. For not being afraid. For taking a stand. Buster Olney compared him to Jackie Robinson. I I'm not talking about from the media. Players, coaches, GMs, etc., the scrutiny he's going to be under is going to be crazy. Everything is going to be dissected and watched. He is a pioneer. He's going to be the first openly gay active professional athlete. If you don't think that's going to invite an unwarranted amount of scrutiny and/or criticisms you're kidding yourself.
February 10, 201412 yr After hearing so many former players say things like the NFL locker room would not be a kind place for an openly gay player, who in their right mind would think this would benefit him? Well, really, if he plays in the NFL he's gonna be gay either way, either announced or unannounced. Do you think he has an agent and discussed it with him first?
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