Michael Sam Announces He's Gay. Why Did Michael Sam Avoid The Easy Way Out?

Michael Sam is a really good linebacker who just graduated from the University of Missouri.

He is gay.

Apparently his team has known for some time now, but the world at large is getting this announcement now because Sam is preparing for the draft and he is likely to get a real shot at the league.  In reality, this is exactly what we have been waiting for in this journey.  A gay man that is both out and elite at his craft.  Jason Collins (the NBA center who came out last year) is an okay player, but not worth the risk of an uncertain locker room.

Michael Sam could be good enough for gay not to matter.  For certain some team will take a chance to find out, but has he hurt himself of helped himself with this revelation?

The obvious answer is both.

Michael Sam has taken advantage of an evolution in the world landscape.  The time is ripe for those who have lived within this lie to find their truth.  Sam would be smothered to pick back up the heavy weight that he dropped when he informed his Missouri Tiger team that he was gay.  He is unafraid to declare his truth because he has seen the dark side already, and it is not in the realm of truth.  With all of the difficulties of living in a world still so intolerant, living a lie is worse.  To this end, Sam has helped himself.

He has not helped his marketability much at all.  This guy plays like a ferocious beast and when the highlights of his exploits on the field started to accompany his announcement to the world, I thought about my Broncos and their upcoming need to improve the defensive front 7. Michael Sam is not Tim Tebow, but he might draw a similar interest soon.   Probably one that John Elway would rather do without.

If other GM's and owners look at the tape and say yes, but think about their immature locker room and say no, that will cost Sam in the pocketbook.  Some marketing executive could look at the way he performs on the field and think he would be a great spokesperson......if he weren't gay.  The truth is that Michael Sam made a decision that he knows, more than anyone, will cost him some loot.

That is what makes this declaration more impressive.  This young man had the opportunity to take the easy road and get his money first.  He had a chance to make a name for himself and then be the face of the big named gay athlete later.  He could have chosen the easy way out.

Just as long as he carried that thousand pound weight around along the way.
Yeah.  The easy way out.