Michael Sam and the Vikings

[frosted]

Did you guys know..

The Main Library at Indiana University sinks over an inch every year because when it was built, engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would occupy the building?

Or that...

A hedgehog's heart beats 300 times a minute on average?

[Superman]

No doubt, but does it have to be all bad?

If I was a player in the NFL right now, I could NOT answer "no" to that question (even if it's what I believed) without there being consequences. The media would have you believe that Sam is "broadening horizons" and "opening minds" in the locker room (I can understand their PC logic), but I feel as though it may just be the opposite in that, it's not enough to merely lack an opinion on the matter of homosexuality anymore, one almost has to be pro-gay and organize gay rallies just to avoid having their name tarnished. Players are being forced to conform to whatever is cool/edgy/PC at the time, rather than being encouraged to follow the beat of their own drum (just as Sam has). Geez, boring I know... I've just read too many slanted articles today, sorry.

[Superman]

lol, it's really not that big of a deal. I go swimming with a gay friend of mine probably once a month or so and you know what happens? He looks forward at his locker and puts his suit on and I stare forward at mine and put my suite on.

If your eyes are forward, how do you know his are as well? I'm just jokin man. I know a few gay guys as well and they are some of the funniest/nicest people I've met. But I just know that if I was allowed to hangout in the locker room of a women's professional sport, I would master the art of peripheral vision.

[Purple bruise]

And some of us are not.

But, I understand where you are coming from. These convos do get a bit ugly. But it's not like some of us haven't been talking about the football side of things, as well. Sometimes things get a bit off track. They'll eventually make it back. Patience, my friend. Patience.
You couldn't just answer the question without the little dig, huh? Ouch. I'ma need some aloe for that burn.

Imput?

I decided to Google that just to be funny. Guess what I found, from the Urban Dictionary?


Not my words, but what now? You're putting my what...where?

Again, we can all admit that these conversations get out of hand. I just can't quite figure out the benefit of commenting with just faces and complaints about other posters. Is that "Vikings talk"?

I'm really not convinced if it was simply "in another section" that it would be "cool" with everyone. I don't think that is the only issue here--or even the main one. Regardless, maybe it'll get moved, maybe it won't. I think it's an interesting thing to discuss. As I said a couple times, this is history. It might not be Vikings history, but it is NFL history.

Vikings Talk, NFL Talk, College Football and Draft Talk, etc. It's all easily accessible--and avoidable...whichever people prefer.

A few texts I got from ESPN about this:
Out of everything I've seen and heard, it has been mostly positive. People seem to be genuinely supportive and ready. I can see the other "distraction" side of it, but this had to happen eventually. Sooner or later, right? Why not sooner?

Time and time again you have been asked to not comment on my posts. You just can't help yourself and now you have sunken to correcting my spelling Dam I should have put an n instead of an m you truly are a pain in my butt.

[maembe]

Why do gay athletes have to announce that their gay? Being gay has nothing to do with football. I don't want this dude on our football team, too much media attention to this team. It's like now, people are announcing that their gay because they know they have a better chance of getting hired due to organizations not wanting to be accused of discrimination. What a sad world we live in.. This is no longer country that our founding fathers built.

Soon many people will come out about having sex with animals and family members and it'll be considered normal to society.

Congratulations, this may be the most ridiculous post in the history of the forum. I like how the crazy continues to build throughout the post to the epic conclusion.

Please don't tell me that you are implying Michael Sam has a blood-bourne virus such as HIV or AIDS just because he is gay. I seriously hope you are just joking around.

It's actually becoming difficult to tell which posts are serious and which aren't.

[King James]

Congratulations, this may be the most ridiculous post in the history of the forum. I like how the crazy continues to build throughout the post to the epic conclusion.

Oh yeah, because you think it's ridiculous makes my post the most ridiculous in the forum.

What amuses me about this message board is that many of you guys will dislike a post but not back it up with logical reasoning.

[Purple bruise]

we live in a world in which sex is everywhere. Its in advertising/TV/Computers/News Stands/Movies/Music/Billboards/Education...Sports.

I kinda feel like its a shame to see sports sexualized, but I also think its inevitable in this moment. Sports have more frequently been politicized, and we'll definitely continue to see more of that. Personally, I also think that's a shame. I think its good for a society to have arenas that are free of sexualization and politicization but thats just not reality in this day and age.

Given that everything is sexualized already, I can't blame or criticize a gay person for "coming out". Its just a symptom of a societal sex obsession/problem in which we want all sex to be public and publicly acceptable. Its obvious why we want this to happen, it means there aren't any more sexual standards and inhibitions and we can all do as we please without any guilt or moral qualms. This is really the motivation behind the gay rights agenda IMO. Again, I don't think this is probably a good development for society, but as a person with sexual desires I understand the impulse to justify and validate hedonism of every sort. That's what the Kinsey crowd and the modern sex education movement have sought to do, and at this point, I would have to say that they have succeeded at.

It is what it is. You can't change the tide so you just try to do what's right, but if you come from a traditional worldview you will be labelled as a bigot and hater and worse to come. Just be prepared and realize that life is not intended to be without consequences. You will have to express yourself with clarity and love and it likely still won't be enough to spare you from being ostracized, marginalized, and worse to come. That's ok. the goal has never been and never will be to make an earthly paradise. Life is not fair. Its not supposed to be.

Having said all that, I still don't think Sam will be drafted. Lightning rods don't last in the NFL. If a college player came out as an opponent of redefining marriage, and a real political activist, I think teams would want to steer clear of that too. Unfortunately I think when Sam is not drafted it will be a big deal about the NFL being homophobic. The media will go nuts. Some congressman will probably want to launch a probe into the NFL. Whatever.

You have made some really valid points but my guess is that he will get drafted (5th or 6th) round.

[Cliff]

This is another topic where I know conversation other than football is bound to take place … but if some posters can’t start either ignoring each other or communicating without personal attacks those posters will be taking mini-vacations from the board.

[chicagopurple]

I think having Muslim players who completely fast during an important time in the season is far more likely to impact your team then having a gay player who actually runs a very low risk of carrying any blood borne disease. We survived Islam in the locker room, so a gay player will be just fine.

[Mothman]

I'm really not convinced if it was simply "in another section" that it would be "cool" with everyone. I don't think that is the only issue here--or even the main one.

What are you implying?

Regardless, maybe it'll get moved, maybe it won't. I think it's an interesting thing to discuss. As I said a couple times, this is history. It might not be Vikings history, but it is NFL history.

Vikings Talk, NFL Talk, College Football and Draft Talk, etc. It's all easily accessible--and avoidable...whichever people prefer.

It's all easily accessible but it shouldn't be treated as interchangeable or there's no reason to even have separate sections. I've been around long enough to remember when and why the board was set up that way and I'm sorry if it bothers you that I'd actually like to see that structure respected and, for lack of a better word, enforced.

[Cliff]

I do agree that it belongs in the College Football & NFL draft section. This isn't Vikings related.

So I've moved it.

[NextQuestion]

Drafting Sam impacts the locker room big time. It's not "fair" to force players to get naked in a room with a gay man, or to compromise their standards when speaking to the media. If I refuse to speak with the media, I get fined. If I choose to be honest and express my true feelings (that it's weird to be naked in front of a gay dude), I get fined. The only option left is to be disingenuous and ignore your own personal moral integrity in hopes of avoiding being labeled a bigot, or a disgusting person. So now you have all these players and coaches holding back and being fake in an atmosphere where you should be building comradery. I'm not a homophobe, I can just understand the imposition it places on the rest (majority) of the team.

Do you have some idea that all gay dudes lust after every guy they see? I'm straight, and just because I see a group of women I'm not like "whoa, omg, must...get...closer".

[NextQuestion]

I'm wondering what will happen when this guy gets a cut and starts to bleed on the field who is gonna want to block him? Don't tell me there's not offensive lineman out there thinking about this?

So you assume he has a blood virus? Way to go.

[NextQuestion]

No doubt, but does it have to be all bad?

If I was a player in the NFL right now, I could NOT answer "no" to that question (even if it's what I believed) without there being consequences. The media would have you believe that Sam is "broadening horizons" and "opening minds" in the locker room (I can understand their PC logic), but I feel as though it may just be the opposite in that, it's not enough to merely lack an opinion on the matter of homosexuality anymore, one almost has to be pro-gay and organize gay rallies just to avoid having their name tarnished. Players are being forced to conform to whatever is cool/edgy/PC at the time, rather than being encouraged to follow the beat of their own drum (just as Sam has). Geez, boring I know... I've just read too many slanted articles today, sorry.

Accepting homosexuality isn't edgy, trendy, or PC. It's just loving your fellow human beings.

[NextQuestion]

Oh yeah, because you think it's ridiculous makes my post the most ridiculous in the forum.

What amuses me about this message board is that many of you guys will dislike a post but not back it up with logical reasoning.

Says the guy who inserted "logic" by burping up a WWE storyline