Does Michael Sam’s announcement affect his draft status?

I was away from the house all day and didn’t check my phone so I got home without any knowledge about NFL Draft prospect Michael Sam coming out publicly.

Here is the story from ESPN.

Here is the story of how the announcement was done from Out Sports.

I think if this happened five years ago, it would have been a huge deal. But as the country and the world has changed, so has our perspective. I think the country has been ready for an athlete to come out and say that they are gay. It was just a matter of time when. We’ve had them come out post-career but this is one of a man who is beginning his career.

On one hand, I want to follow this story because it is important. It is a sign of the times. But on the other hand, we’ve come so long that we have to wonder if it is really news. I believe it is great news, but if we make it more than what it is, then we still don’t really treat and accept one another fairly and equally.

I do believe that Sam, who is the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, has all the credentials to get drafted. I don’t even think that his scouting reports say he is not good enough to make it in the NFL. But will this announcement change how teams consider him? They know that by drafting him, the media attention will follow. Is that a deterrent?

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