A day after Michael Sam revealed his sexual orientation, NFL and the teams have come out in support of the star college football player. The team owners said that they would welcome him with open arms and that his career is not in jeopardy.
"We admire Michael Sam's honesty and courage. Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014," Greg Aiello, a NFL spokesman, said in a statement.
Echoing similar sentiments, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and New England Patriots among others praised and backed the NFL prospect's decision to come out as gay. The team owners said that they will view him as an athlete/football player during the selection process. If Sam is the right fit for their teams he will surely be drafted despite his groundbreaking revelation.
"Absolutely we would welcome Michael Sam to the Cleveland Browns organization if he can help us win games and he's the right football player for this team,'' Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said. "We are intent on creating an environment that is supportive, accepting and respectful of individual rights and differences," Cleveland reports.
Patriot's owner Bob Kraft told The Boston Herald that Sam is best suited for New England. He would build strength here and will have a flourishing football career.
"We're about winning. And anyone who can come in here and help us win, I personally don't care what their ethnic background is, their racial background, the gender preference. If they can help us win, and they're about team first, then I'm happy to have him here," Kraft said.
Critics questioned the timings of his announcement because the NFL Scouting Combine is scheduled to begin next week, Feb.22 to Feb.25, Indianapolis. If Sam is drafted in May, he could become NFL's first openly gay player.
"Michael Sam is a gifted athlete and a courageous man........ How the University of Missouri and its football program embraced and supported Michael is a tremendous blueprint for all of us," Giants co-owner Steve Tisch said in a statement.
