Michael Sam is the first openly gay football player. The LGBT community rejoiced, Liberals felt vindicated, and Conservatives quoted scriptures and damned his soul to hell.
Everyone was as politically correct as they could be without destroying their individual brands. Then word came that Michael was shooting a docuseries for OWN. Social media blew up! Fellow football players and fans alike had convulsions, which is they were saying be as gay as you want, but don't let it interfere with football. Some even went as far to say that he was more interested in being a celebrity than playing football...um, newsflash professional athletes are celebrities!
I didn't see this same ridicule or scorn when Chad Ochocinco had his reality show, The Ultimate Catch, where he paraded various single women around for the chance to be his girlfriend.
So the question becomes, are you really accepting Sam, or is that the politically correct thing to do, so you will not be labeled a bigot? If he had to hide his sexuality, or only display it in his private time or when it makes you feel comfortable, is this acceptance? No, it is tolerance, meaning I will tolerate him, because I like his football ability, but the other parts of his life should remain hidden.
Another question, who are we as a society to tolerate anything? I mean seriously! He is having sex with other consenting adults, so is it really our business whether he is gay, straight, or bisexual? No, but our society places more value on sports and the money and thrill of the game, than we do the actual people who play the game, especially when those people are young black bucks who we can make millions off of.
The message it sends is, make us money, but don't embarrass us, and don't get out of line!
The truth is, the hype over Sam's sexuality is over, and what appeared to be acceptance is just tolerance. The next few years will be interesting. I wish him Godspeed, but in a country full of bigots and religious zealots who try to force their ways of living onto everyone else, this young man will have a difficult road ahead.
Until next time....
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