Is Michael Sam setting up for a lawsuit?

Is Michael Sam setting up for a lawsuit?

As we know, Michael Sam has 'come out of the closet' in a very public way just prior to the NFL draft. It seems like an odd time to do so. He is also dropping down on the NFL draft boards as he is considered a marginal prospect. He knows it and this publicity may be a fool proof way to make some money.

I was listening to Mike & Mike today and an NFL scout was rating him and made some interesting points:

• He is not quick enough to play in the NFL
• Once blocked he is out of the play, and that is unacceptable for the NFL
• He is 24 years old and a clear project player and pretty much any team will take a younger project player
• Rather than being in on 80% of the downs a top college player should be, he is in on less than 60% and never at the end of a close game
• He was the 4th best DL on his team but was able to accomplish due the double teams… other players received

This scout thinks he has only a 50/50 chance of even being drafted. And all this ties into his announcement.

If he goes undrafted, he can claim collusion by the league. If he is drafted and cut, he can claim discrimination and sue the team. If he makes a team and receives any harsh language or perceived treatment like rookie hazing he can sue the team. NFL teams aren't full of refined Ivy league types and nothing is sacred in a locker room.

The speculation is that he has now placed himself in a prime position to enrich himself via a lawsuit.

It'll be interesting to see if he gets drafted.

 

Maybe he just wants to play football. Stop presuming what you do not know.

 

I realize the fact you are very defenseive and somewhat militaristic on this subject, but all I am doing is facilitating a discussion based on another discussion on a radio sports show.

Also, given the state of litigation in this country, it's a valid debate.

 

He wasn't slated to go before the 5th round before he came out, so it's not like anyone thought he was a great player before his announcement.

 

I will say this BP, if he does decide to file a lawsuit, it will seriously set back gay rights in the NFL and will discourage other players from coming out.

I'm just glad Jason Collins hasn't tried to blame his lack of contract offers on being gay. The guy spent some time on the Blazers and he was clearly washed up at that point. He is no longer in the NBA because he is not good enough to be in the NBA. I don't think he blames that on anyone, but I'm sure that also plays a part in why he came out when he did.

 

Except apparently it was going to come out regardless. Scouts were talking about it at the Senior bowl (or whatever post season bowl he was at). As an open secret, it was only so long before it was going to come out. You think he would have been better off waiting until the interview process for it to come out?

From everything I was hearing, his coaches used a strict rotation during games, which is why he only played 60% of the plays. If he is a mid round pick and if there were 4 linemen better than him on his own team (not debating those as I don't really know), then that means they had at least 5 NFL caliber linemen on the roster. Seems like a pretty good way to get the most out of all of your best players, without exhausting any of them.

I'm not saying he is some great player, but I don't think he had some calculated reason behind coming out. If he did, it'd be incredibly stupid. He was graded as a 3rd-5th round pick before he came out. What is there to gain from this (on the field)? His draft stock wasn't going to shoot up and now it is possible/likely that a GM passes on him for another similarly rated player just to avoid any extra media attention. My guess is that he knew it was going to come out before the draft, either immediately following all of the Senior bowl stuff, or during the interview process. Why not come out on your own terms (or as close to them as possible), rather than have some scout grill you about your sexual preference or have some reporter ask you about it?

 

His brother Jarron was a blazer not Jason.

 

Well shoot.... here I thought this whole time that he was on our team. I blame his parents for naming them both similarly.

 

I think this is the real reason. The guy didn't want any drama for the team that the team didn't know about going in. This way, a team knows the PR frenzy they will have when they draft him. If he hadn't said it himself, AND IF the scouts didn't leak it to a news organization, then later somehow one of his teammates leaks it, he might cause an even bigger controversy.

 

My take is Michael Sam is honest, with himself, with his teammates, with his prospective employers.

Before last season, defensive end Michael Sam told the University of Missouri football team he was gay, according to the New York Times.

Sam being gay didn't seem to affect that team at all. The Tigers had a great season, making the SEC championship game. His teammates kept his secret. Sam being gay didn't become public until Sunday night, when Sam announced it to the New York Times and ESPN. Sam is considered a mid-round pick, and when he's drafted he'll be the NFL's first openly gay player.

Missouri's reaction (or, non-reaction) to Sam's sexual preference should throw some water on the narrative that a gay player will totally disrupt an entire NFL team. SI.com published a story in the wake of Sam's announcement that said all eight coaches and executives interviewed said it would hurt Sam's draft stock. But the reaction from NFL players – past, current and future – was mostly positive right after the news broke, which is probably a better indication of how he'll be accepted in a locker room.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...l-sam-announcement-mostly-030735235--nfl.html

As for the money angle, he's already rolling in endorsements.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/michael-sam-signs-autograph-deals/story?id=22585578


No NFL team is 100% heterosexual. And it's never been a big deal among players. If there's a backlash it will come from bigoted sponsors and bigoted owners and bigoted media conglomerates.

But I expect he will be drafted earlier rather than later.

The preposterous accusation (and that's what it is) that he's scheming for a lawsuit could only originate in a dishonest and bigoted mind. Who is this "NFL scout"?

 

I wasn't jumping to any conclusions, just facilitating discussion. Or at least that was my intent.

If undrafted, the NFL and all the teams for collusion. Since it's small potatoes, probably get a few million as 'go away' money. If he makes a team and is cut or "harrassed", could be a lot more.

 

True, but this is sexual orientation discrimination. It's a pretty hot method right now for gays to make bling.
'

 

He will probably get drafted but it will be late and to a team with structure and a 3-4 defense. 49ers, Ravens, Packers, Chiefs, Colts, or Steelers will take a chance on him. However reading up on his limited flexibility and general lack of pass rushing speed/block shedding ability he will likely be cut at some point.

Earlier I thought he was a damn good mid round prospect but after he came out and the spotlight of his play has come to my attention (Don't watch much Missouri football) I noticed many flaws in his game. He was productive no doubt but the guys around him were quite beastly.. He reminds me of an Alabama running-back kinda, doesn't mean he can't be effective in the NFL but I have my doubts. If he does sue for not getting drafted/being cut then he will really ruin it for gay men in the future who want to come out.

 

Chip Kelly did a pretty masterful job with the Riley Cooper situation last year. The Eagles also play a 3-4. Might be a great fit?

 

Very racist of you to think that all black men look alike... oh they were identical twins... nevermind... lol

 

Oh and to the original post, I think porkchop's response is on the mark. This was going to be talked about anyway, and Michael Sam decided to come out on his terms. He seems like a good kid. I don't think this is litigation motivated. If he is good enough to play in the NFL, I think a team will give him a fair chance (if he's drafted or not). There are plenty of starting NFL players who were never drafted. I personally think a team will draft him , but it is going to be a late round pick. Whether he makes a 53 man roster is up to him. Frankly, he might be better off not getting drafted. He can pick a team he feels comfortable with and thinks that he has a chance to make. Only way he might have a legitimate lawsuit is if he is not invited to any NFL camps. I don't think he will file a lawsuit just because he is not drafted. That would be a horrible way to start your NFL career.

 

Unless one was never really going to have an NFL career.