For those who have come to know former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Indianapolis Colt head coach Tony Dungy, you say from the surface that he is a good guy, strong leader, deep into his faith and certainly a person we could learn from.
Dungy has weighed in to help those in need of guidance and whatever the situation may call for. When Michael Vick had his legal issues and was trying to get his life together, as well as get back into the NFL, Tony Dungy was there for him publicly in his support, stating that Vick deserved another chance to anyone who would listen. A noble gesture to say the least, but then again that is Tony Dungy, the man we have all come to respect.
What is odd here is that when Tony Dungy was asked about former Mizzou player and now Rams draft choice Michael Sam, who alerted the world that he was gay, Dungy wanted no part of him on his football team.
“I wouldn’t have taken him,” Dungy told Ira Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune. “Not because I don’t believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play, but I wouldn’t want to deal with all of it. It’s not going to be totally smooth…things will happen.”
Yes, things do happen, as this is the NFL, and far worse people than Michael Sam have played in it. Maybe Dungy did not coach a lot of them, but I am sure there were some questionable characters who made his rosters at one time or another.
Interesting, I did not know that convicted felons now trump gay people in this world when it comes to getting a fair shake. If Dungy felt that Sam’s sexual orientation was going to be a distraction to the team, then maybe he should look at all the wife-beaters, felons, and just plain idiots who have found a way to find gainful employment in the National Football League without some coaches batting an eye.
Surely Tony Dungy has had a bad apple that he has stuck with. In Sam’s case, he has shown no cause to be considered a bad apple. He only shared his personal love preferences with the world.
Then again, maybe it’s bigger than that for Tony Dungy. Perhaps his prior beliefs, be it religious or his upbringing, prevents him from getting his arms around the Michael Sam situation. If that is the case, Dungy is not alone, as this will take a while to settle in the minds of many.
The other issue here may have been a roster spot. These are so key in building a team, and maybe Dungy felt he would have to take and keep a player who may not be as good only because he was the first player to come out while he was playing.
If there is one thing the NFL should not worry about is receiving even worse PR, as they have mastered stepping on themselves on a near weekly basis with no relief in sight. I guess it is good for Michael Sam that Tony Dungy no longer coaches. Dungy, though, is not by himself in his feelings.
I guess I was surprised that Tony Dungy, of all people, would feel that Michael Sam would not have been worth his support. Then again, that is what makes this country great, he has a choice, be it popular or unpopular. Sam is not in the business of proving Dungy or anyone else wrong. He is in the business of making the St. Louis Rams right now.
For Jeff Fisher of the Rams, he took that chance and by no means did he do Sam any favors. While the Rams continue to build a more competitive team, the one area that is stacked right now may be pass rushers, with one of the best in the league in Robert Quinn leading the way. Anything Michael Sam gets in making this football team will solely be on what he does on the field and not what he does off it.
For those gay rights activists who choose to follow this story, I suggest you get a depth chart provided by the Rams, go to practice and see for yourself before you pass judgment on Michael Sam’s skill set and the Rams’ decision to keep him or not. The challenge begins today, as training camp for the St. Louis Rams opens.
The Rams will open training camp for rookies today, and while the first wave of media coverage of Michael Sam is now behind us, the focus should be on the other players and if they will be able to help a team that is at a crossroads. The Rams, like all teams, have to stay away from key injuries, but on paper they should be better. They face a tough challenge, though, as they reside in one of the best divisions in football alongside Seattle and San Francisco.
Fisher has most of the pieces in place, including his coaching staff, which features Gregg Williams on defense. It’s too early for predictions, but the Rams do bear watching this season if they can get off to an injury-free start.
