In a shocking statement that took a lot of people aback, former Super Bowl winning coach Tony Dungy revealed that he would declined to draft Michael Sam because he wouldn’t want to deal with the gay factor.
Dungy, a former coach with the Tampa Bay Bucaneers before winning a title with the Indianapolis Colts, is currently an analyst for NBC.
He told the Tampa Tribune that “I wouldn’t have taken him. 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.”
Dungy predicts the fact that Sam is openly gay will be an issue in the NFL. “It’s not going to be totally smooth things will happen,” he added.
Dungy, a former Super Bowl-winning player with the dynastic Pittsburgh Steelers, echoes the sentiments of other former players who said the transition into the NFL will be wrought with challenges that have not arisen yet.
Of course, Sam was one of the last people drafted and will be fighting for a roster spot on the St. Louis Rams.