University of Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam, an All-American, has announced he's "an openly, proud gay man" in advance of the upcoming National Football League draft. In response, Sports Illustrated asked 12 NFL executives if and how this would affect Sam's status in the upcoming draft. None of the 12 executives questioned would allow their name to be used. This sample anonymous comment perhaps shows why:
"In the coming decade or two, it's going to be acceptable, but at this point in time it's still a man's-man game. To call somebody a [gay slur] is still so commonplace. It'd chemically imbalance an NFL locker room and meeting room." (our emphasis)To a "man," these 12 anonymous "man's men" said that Sam's announcement would cause his draft position to drop or cause him to not be drafted at all.
We can't think of anyone who is less a "man's man" than a bigot who is also a coward.
