Keep It Locked in the Dungy

Former Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalist Head Coach Tony Dungy, one of the most respected figures in NFL history, waded ever so slightly into the pool of controversy on Monday. 

Dungy commented that he would not have drafted former University of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam, the NFL’s first openly gay player to be drafted. Sam was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 7^th round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Dungy cited the distractions that would come with having the first openly gay player on the team as the reason. He went on to say, however, that Sam deserves a chance to play in the NFL. It was at this point that I had to stop and scratch my head.

Dungy can fiund at least one person who would agree with him. I'll bet Tyler Murphy (center, getting body slammed) wished that Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel didn't give Sam (right, #52, throwing Murphy to the ground) a chance. 2

C’MON COACH! C’MON….

Tony Dungy is one of my favorite Head Coaches in the history of sports. His pristine reputation is well earned. He is almost universally respected by players, peers, and media alike. But I think the good coach stepped into a little doo-doo with these remarks.

One of my biggest criticisms of most public figures, especially the “good guys”, is that they rarely say things to ruffle any feathers. Usually, people who are universally liked do not get to be that way by rubbing others the wrong way. They tend to think before they speak, make well-reasoned statements and choices in life, and demonstrate respect for their fellow men, even when they don’t necessarily agree.

That is a very safe approach to personal and public relationships. Safe doesn’t tell me much about a person’s deep inner core. When Dungy opined on the selection of Michael Sam, we tiptoed out of the safety zone. Good for him.

I don’t necessarily agree; football is a game of inches. Michael Sam was an accomplished enough pass rush at Missouri to win the 2014 SEC co-Defensive Player of the Year. I think that an edge, even a slight one, provided by a player in one of the four most important positions on the field (DE, CB, OT, QB) can make a difference between winning and losing. In my opinion, that trumps a social controversy which, for several years, has become exponentially less controversial with each passing day.

Still, the public sentiment is far from the level of consensus on an openly gay player in a masculine, often macho environment like a sports locker room, fire hall, police department, or military barracks. There will be additional attention from the media placed on Sam because of his known sexual orientation. It may make people uncomfortable to know that his orientation could affect his career prospects, but Coach Dungy offered just such an opinion.

Why would Coach Dungy hedge his bets by saying that Sam still deserves a chance to play? How can he say that when he just said he would not have drafted Sam?!?!? Is he saying that he wouldn’t have Sam on his team, but he would support another coach’s decision to bring Sam into camp? I doubt that he is saying he isn’t a good enough manager of his players to handle having Sam on the roster. What is he saying?

SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAY

Tony Dungy made it quite clear that he would not have drafted Michael Sam. A man who has spent his career leading by example and even wrote a book called, “Quite Strength” is not setting a very consistent or strong example by turning around and saying Sam deserves a chance to play. Dungy would not offer that chance because of his orientation.

I think Dungy should demonstrate some of that quiet strength and stand behind his controversial and not necessarily popular beliefs. Own them; stand behind them; defend them. If not, then just “stay safe” and say nothing.

Quite strength...verbal weakness.

1) Image from www.coachdungy.com

2) Image from www.columbiamissourian.com

Sam I Am

Former University of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL. Sam was chosen by the St. Louis Rams in the 7^th round with the 249^th overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft. With that, history was made. Let the debating begin.

Draft day is the biggest day in a football player's life. His immediate reaction is perfectly normal. 1

Xs and Os

Prior to Sam announcing he was gay earlier this year, the SEC co-Player of the Year was projected, among a host of draft evaluators, to be as high as a third round pick and as low as a fifth round draft pick. In spite of impressive statistics in the nation’s toughest college football conference, there were legitimate concerns raised about his size translating to NFL-level competition.

Since then, Sam came out. The world reacted. On the field, Sam had a Scouting Combine performance that could only be described as disastrous. He ran a 40-yard dash in over 5.0 seconds, among other concerns. His Pro Day was a bit of an improvement. Still, the potential for distraction in concert with an unimpressive set of job auditions and a lack of stature relative to his position did nothing to push his draft stock up. From a football standpoint, being selected in the fifth round seemed like a ceiling for Sam rather than a floor.

Sam was picked in the 7^th round. Considering his football factors and non-football factors (both positive and negative), the 7^th round was not a surprising landing spot for Sam.

Sam (52) paid his dues like everyone else to warrant consideration in the draft. 2

The Show

ESPN, the 800 pound gorilla of sports programing, did not waste an opportunity to broadcast a seminal moment. The four letter network televised Sam receiving a call on his cell phone from the Rams informing him that he had been drafted. Sam became emotional and then embraced and kissed his boyfriend, Vito Cammisano. Later that evening, an image of Sam and Cammisano feeding each other cake and kissing with cake on their faces circulated around the Internet.

I would like to think that I have a good pulse of where my position is relative to the mainstream in the sports world and in society in general. I believe my position is pretty middle of the road for a guy in his late 30s. I don’t completely understand the lifestyle, certainly not the attraction, but I do think people are born the way they are. Only a masochist, someone not wired normally for self-preservation, would choose the societal burdens that come with being part of the LGBT community if that same person’s natural inclination is to be straight. I think many (probably most) American men are coming to grips and going along with sincere tolerance (if not acceptance) of and humanitarian respect for the gay community.

All of that said, I think most Americans are stand-offish at best about gratuitous public displays of affection in most situations. I think a lot of people would rather that those displays are done discreetly and privately. Speaking for myself, I could do without seeing two people smearing cake on each other’s faces and then kissing/licking it off (exceptions include weddings, bachelor parties, and two employee-performers at a gentleman’s club).

Factoring in that this exhibit was between two men, when so many in the American mainstream are just beginning to tolerate/embrace/accept the dignity and rights of gay people as being as important as their own, I think that Mr. Sam hurt his own cause. I think he hurt his cause as a football player, as there is minimal tolerance for marginally NFL-level talented players inviting off-the-field attention (potential distractions) into a locker room. I think he hurt his cause for wanting to be treated like any other player because his actions and the coverage it received were unlike any player drafted in the 7^th round.

Was this really necessary? 3

Not Everyone is Equal and Life is Not Fair

Let me be clear. If Michael Sam had the pass rushing skills of physical freak-of-nature, genetic lottery winner, and #1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft Jadeveon Clowney, he would not need to tread as carefully as I am suggesting he should. The aforementioned Clowney is a once every several years, transcendent talent. He will single handedly influence the outcome of many games over the course of his career if he lives up to his billing. A person with that level of talent has something that all 32 NFL teams and their fans crave and, quite frankly, can get away with behavior that some may view as off-putting.

That’s capitalism. That’s America. That’s just how it is. People who can deliver more get more latitude in life.

Sam is not Jadeveon Clowney. I am glad the man came out. I believe he has a right to be himself and not have to hide who he is out of fear or for any reason. There is not hiding, then rubbing it in America’s face. If the display of affection witnessed on his draft night was near or over the line for a straight couple, who are otherwise accepted for who they are, giving viewers a double dose of “different” was not in the best interests of understanding and acceptance. Simply put: the cake in front of the camera was completely unnecessary and I think Sam and Cammisano were fully aware that they would be broadcast worldwide immediately.

When you can do this with ease, you can throw the finger more often to anyone who can't accept the real you. 4

Just Because You’re Famous Doesn’t Mean You’re Valuable

When you are drafted in the 7^th round, as opposed to the first, second, or third rounds, the team is saying, “You’re worth looking at. You’re worth having in camp. We think you might have more than met the eye of the other 31 teams the first six times around.” That is far from a guarantee of making the team. In fact, that is far from a ringing endorsement that said draftee is a sure fire NFL talent.

The lines separating the rookies who make the team at the end of the roster and those who get cut are slim. Every positive is scrutinized and each negative is just one more reason to release one player and keep another. Sam has already taken the first step toward inviting media distraction into Rams’ training camp. He should wait until after he has played a few productive games in the NFL before taking that second step. Better yet, perhaps he should stand put.  

If ESPN wanted to show people eating a cake, why couldn't they have taken me here on Saturday? 5

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1) Image from www.csmonitor.com
2) image from www.columbiamissourian.com
3) Image from http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com
4) Image from http://college-football.si.com
5) Image from www.hauteliving.com

Retweet of the Day - April 1, 2013

Reports surfaced last week that a current NFL player planned to come out soon. Should this happen, this player would be the first active openly gay player in NFL history, a trailblazer.

Of course, the topic of sexuality can never be completely void of sophomoric, male-centric humor on a sports blog. As responsibly and maturely as I have handled this topic (most of the time), I see no harm in a little comic relief. Today's retweet is from Evil Mike Tomlin (@EvilMikeTomlin)

"Anonymous gay NFL player considering coming out. My bet is, it's a Center"

Using that same reasoning, couldn't it be a quarterback, too?

Image from http://coachgarner.wordpress.com

Retweet of the Day - March 28, 2013

The Athletes' Brief in support of marriage equality, chaired by NFL players Chris Kluwe of the Minnesota Vikings, Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Baltimore Ravens, and Scott Fujia of the Cleveland Browns has received significant attention in sports media of late. Ayanbadejo spoke at length this morning on The Jim Rome Show about the acceptance of an openly gay NFL player. Ayanbadejo said it was "about time" and that the cause needed its "Jackie Robinson".

I continue to be taken aback at just how much attention and support this topic has received from people from all walks of life. Moreso, I am blown away by how rapidly public support has turned in favor of gay rights. Just five years ago, this subject was on the secondary or tertiary tier of current events subjects.

Today's retweet is from retired NFL linebacker Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman (@shawnemerriman), as tough a hitter as they came (hence the nickname).

"Hell if 1 of my teammates happen 2 be gay & he get 3 sacks to win the game I might attend the next pride parade myself #NFL #LightsOutFloat"

Merriman already had his own "Lights Out" Tequila, as in model (and former girlfriend) Tila Tequila. Why not a "Lights Out" float?

Image from http://us.ayushveda.com

Retweet of the Day - March 27, 2013

I typically avoid polarizing issue outside of the sports world like the plague on this blog. However, nobody can be all neutral all of the time. It is neither interesting nor realistic.

Still, in the department store of life, sports can be found in the toy section. Anyone following current events could not possibly have avoided hearing about the arguments about over gay marriage being presented before the United States Supreme Court this week. This blog is not intended to promote any political causes or agendas, but there are athletes using their notoriety to bring attention to causes.

Cleveland Browns and former New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita, along with Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo and other current and former pro athletes, published the Athletes’ Brief in support of marriage equality. I think it takes a ton of conviction and a certain level of courage for someone in an alpha-male dominated, macho profession like football (or any sport) to speak up in support of gay rights.

Today's retweet is from Scott Fujita (@scottfujita99):

"I stand for equality with athletes from across the sports world. Who's with us? http://www.athletesbrief.com #AthletesBrief #MarriageEquality"

Real champions show toughness on and off the field.

Image from www.zimbio.com

What If He Didn't Like Girls?

Disclaimer: The following contains sophomoric, male-centric toilet humor. While it is not the intention of The Daily Hat Trick to offend anyone, reader discretion is advised and therefore the content will likely offend someone if enough people read it. Please DO NOT continue reading if you are offended by off-color, sophomoric, or bathroom humor. Thank you.

The NFL made headlines last week as the topic of inappropriate scouting combine interview questions was a hot topic. University of Colorado tight end Nick Kasa said, in an interview, that one NFL scout asked him questions such as, “Are you married?” and “Do you like girls?” This revelation sparked the topic of gay players in the NFL, especially in light of the bizarre "catfishing" story involving Notre Dame linebacker Manti T'eo. 

I have zero scientific evidence in my possession, but the proportion that I have consistently read in articles and (respected) sociologists’ guesstimates and survey estimates is that approximately 10% of the population, male and female, is gay. Based on my own personal experiences and observations, I can buy that figure.

Assuming that the 10% estimate is somewhere…anywhere in the ballpark and considering that there are about 2,500 NFL players in any given year (active roster, practice squad, injured reserve, waived players, etc.), I am willing to bet that there are at least a few dozen gay players in the NFL, conservatively. Still, there are no openly gay players and until there are, those players remain in the shadows.

FIGHT THE POWER

Less than 70 years ago, no black players were allowed to play Major League Baseball. Still, there was a bevy of African-American talent on the diamond. They played in the Negro Leagues. The leagues had a significant following as, frankly, some of the best talent in the country played there and, often, the games were more colorful (no pun intended) than their MLB counterparts.

One characteristic that stood out were the names. “Black Yankees”, “Black Barons”, “Greys”…color, color, color. The reason is understandable, but is awfully predicable and a little boring. This is where gay football players may have an in-road.

If openly gay players participated in their own leagues, showcasing their talent, perhaps then the NFL could recognize how foolish it is to keep gay players in the closet to preserve a machismo that is becoming rapidly outdated and unfashionable. One area in which the league could quickly distinguish itself is in team nomenclatures. We have seen in creative venues such as the arts, interior design, and fashion that gay men have been disproportionately successful and prominent. I would expect that this would extend to the team names and that we would have more creative mascots than “Gay Bears” or “Gay Buccaneers”.

You're black. Your mascot is "Barons". So you call yourself "Black Barons"? Wow! That's original. VERY valuable contributors to American sports history, but that name caught nobody by surprise.3

OUT IN THE OPEN

I have gay acquaintances. I cannot help but notice the lifestyle-oriented self-deprecation that they often engage in with one another while in social settings. Therefore, I would expect some off-color fervor extending to the mascots in a gay football league. The following could be the league we see in which men can be proud to be who they are without fear of archaic interview questions from homophobic General Managers.

All new leagues start small, but there would be nothing to stop the new league from improving upon the current mascots used by NFL teams.

Eastern Conference

Green Bay Meat Packers – Before you get up in arms, understand that the NFL’s oldest franchise was, in fact, named after meat factory workers who did the packing – packers.

Chicago Teddy Bears – A big ferocious animal mixed with a little cuddly tenderness.

Dallas Reverse Cowboys – In your FACE, Jerry Jones (do not read into that phrasing).

Washington Foreskins – As gratuitous and potentially offensive as this mascot is, it isn’t nearly as offensive as the “Redskins”.

Cleveland Brown Eyes – Yeah…that one warrants no explanation.

The Chicago team wouldn't even need to change the live mascot. 1

Western Conference

St. Louis Rammers – Real football players can give…and take…a pounding!

The San Francisco Football Club – Would a team in San Francisco in a league like this even need a mascot?

Beverly Hills Shoppers – I’ll bet these dudes would make damn sure there is a team in L.A.!

Arizona Cardinals – Not the red birds, but the Catholic officials. After centuries of being told about immorality, why not offer a back handed swipe at an organization that has had its own dirty little secrets in recent decades?

Houston Oilers – The league could have inspiration from an historic football mascot while putting its own cultural twist on a name that could imply lubrication.

Logo for the new league's Arizona "Cardinals" 2

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1) Image from http://sharondew.blogspot.com
2) Image from http://inquiringminds.cc
3) Image from http://thebusmuseum.blogspot.com