NFL Draft Prospect Michael Sam Announces He's Gay

[Golfingdad]

It floors you that he would have a different belief than his son? Or the way he came about it?

He said he still loves him, just doesnt agree with the lifestyle.

He said he loves him (said) but actions matter a lot more than words.  If I was Sam I'd feel a lot more loved if my dad showed me he loved me by, oh I don't know, not saying to the world that ...

He doesn't want his grandkids raised in that kind of environment.

The idea of a gay player in the NFL bothers him.

Deacon Jones is turning over in his grave.

I'm sick of eating and I need to get drunk.

Struggling with the news internally, or along with the rest of your family, but in private, is one thing (and coming from a guy of his generation, is somewhat understandable) but announcing to the world that you are basically ashamed and embarrassed by who your son is, is a whole other issue altogether.  I don't know what it is, but I know what it isn't ... and it isn't love.

Love is putting the needs and cares of son ahead of your need to remind the world that you hate queers.  It's pathetic.

It's not a lifestyle.  A lifestyle is something you choose.

QFT.

[dsc123]

He said he loves him (said) but actions matter a lot more than words.

Exactly.  And he promptly left Denny's and went straight to Applebees!

[inthehole]

would have to question the timing of it ... I'm sure he feels like he's taking the high road by coming out, but it's gotta cost him.      From a business standpoint, seems like it could have waited ...

[Golfingdad]

would have to question the timing of it ... I'm sure he feels like he's taking the high road by coming out, but it's gotta cost him.      From a business standpoint, seems like it could have waited ...

He told his Missouri teammates at the beginning of this season.  And he also said that he was realizing during this senior all-star season (or whatever they call all the pro prep stuff) that so many other players already knew.  He wanted to get in front of the story and not let it come out in rumors and such.

He didn't really have a choice ... unless he wanted to risk being outed by somebody else.  He obviously didn't.

[14ledo81]

[QUOTE name="14ledo81" url="/t/72422/nfl-draft-prospect-michael-sam-announces-hes-gay/60_30#post_949795"] It floors you that he would have a different belief than his son? Or the way he came about it? He said he still loves him, just doesnt agree with the lifestyle.[/QUOTE]  He said he loves him (said) but actions matter a lot more than words.  If I was Sam I'd feel a lot more loved if my dad showed me he loved me by, oh I don't know, not saying to the world that ... He doesn't want his grandkids raised in that kind of environment. The idea of a gay player in the NFL bothers him. Deacon Jones is turning over in his grave. I'm sick of eating and I need to get drunk. Struggling with the news internally, or along with the rest of your family, but in private, is one thing (and coming from a guy of his generation, is somewhat understandable) but announcing to the world that you are basically ashamed and embarrassed by who your son is, is a whole other issue altogether.  I don't know what it is, but I know what it isn't ... and it isn't love. Love is putting the needs and cares of son ahead of your need to remind the world that you hate queers.  It's pathetic. [QUOTE name="mdl" url="/t/72422/nfl-draft-prospect-michael-sam-announces-hes-gay/60_30#post_949949"]   It's not a lifestyle.  A lifestyle is something you choose. [/QUOTE] QFT.

He said he loves his son. You used the word "hate". I guess it does not surprise me that the father would/could have a different belief than his son. I do think he could have stated his point differently (or not at all to the media). If people (not pointing this at anyone specifically) are villifying the father for his differing beliefs, I feel that is not right and certainly not very accepting. If they do not agree with the way he came about it, I can understand.

[Ernest Jones]

Love is putting the needs and cares of son ahead of your need to remind the world that you hate queers.  It's pathetic.

Incredibly well stated. Rep point coming your way.

[RonTheSavage]

Oh well at least the dad was honest I guess.............I mean he did just learn his son was gay through text. He just needs time to process the information. And if he dosen't oh well it's his loss. My only gripe is that this draft has become all about a projected 6th rounder. Kinda sux for guys like Clowney and Manziel. Maybe Clowney should "announce" something also.

[dsc123]

If people (not pointing this at anyone specifically) are villifying the father for his differing beliefs,

I think they're vilifying him for not supporting his son despite his beliefs.

I feel that is not right and certainly not very accepting.

father publicly rebukes son for being gay = difference of opinion.  Person on internet critizes father for putting his homophobia in front of his love for his son = not accepting.

[14ledo81]

[QUOTE name="14ledo81" url="/t/72422/nfl-draft-prospect-michael-sam-announces-hes-gay/72#post_950015"] If people (not pointing this at anyone specifically) are villifying the father for his differing beliefs, [/QUOTE] I think they're vilifying him for not supporting his son despite his beliefs.   [QUOTE name="14ledo81" url="/t/72422/nfl-draft-prospect-michael-sam-announces-hes-gay/72#post_950015"] [COLOR=181818]I feel that is not right and certainly not very accepting. [/COLOR][/QUOTE] father publicly rebukes son for being gay = difference of opinion.  Person on internet critizes father for putting his homophobia in front of his love for his son = not accepting.

IMO he showed his support by stating his love. He could have said he never wants to speak to his son again. I did not say I agreed with the way the father went about it. I cannot respect him for that. I do believe, however, that he (the father) has a right to have a differing view. Either way I'm out of this thread. My intent is certainly not to piss anyone off, and if I did, I apologize. My only intent was to show that you can still love someone, but not agree with there views. (Although I do still disagree with the way the father went about it.)

[Golfingdad]

If people (not pointing this at anyone specifically) are villifying the father for his differing beliefs, I feel that is not right and certainly not very accepting.

Like dsc said, I'm not villifying him for his beliefs (although I'd be happy to do that because they're wrong), I'm simply saying that he should have kept his mouth shut and dealt with this within his family.

And I also would like to point out how ridiculous your second sentence is.  You're suggesting that it's wrong to be intolerant of intolerance.  That's silly.

... I mean he did just learn his son was gay through text. He just needs time to process the information.

Yeah, I agree.  It just surprises me that a father would feel the need to be so public about it while he's "processing the information."

Either way I'm out of this thread. My intent is certainly not to piss anyone off, and if I did, I apologize. My only intent was to show that you can still love someone, but not agree with there views. (Although I do still disagree with the way the father went about it.)

That's cool ... pretty sure you didn't piss anybody off though - certainly not me - so no apology necessary.

I bolded that one part of your last sentence because that is what my point is.  He SAID he loved him but he didn't show it very well.

[RonTheSavage]

Yeah, I agree.  It just surprises me that a father would feel the need to be so public about it while he's "processing the information." Yeah a simple "no comment" would've worked

[phan52]

Did anyone read what Sam's fathers thoughts were? He mentioned that he was struggling with it. He still loved his son, yet stated he did not want his grandkids growing up in that type of environment.

So I guess he would prefer that they were brought up in an environment where Pop brings his sons to Mexico to get laid, one of his kids gets shot and killed during a robbery, two are in prison, and another has been missing for over a decade?

Good job, Dad. Michael Sam has done wonders to have escaped THAT type of environment.

[jamo]

I think the worst part is that he had a chance to be there for his son when he needed him, and he decided to go get ka-slammered at Applebee's.

[nututhugame]

Lol. The irony is killing me.

[mdl]

Lol. The irony is killing me.

?

[Golfingdad]

?

Agreed. @nututhugame could you elaborate?

[evan01]

How many of you commenting in this  thread have a gay kid?

[RonTheSavage]

I think the worst part is that he had a chance to be there for his son when he needed him, and he decided to go get ka-slammered at Applebee's.

Applebees of all places? LOL