Former Nebraska Kicker Says He Was Openly Gay, Loved By Teammates

[Army_Allen]

That's because their trying to get an average player drafted higher by making it out to be that if he isn't drafted where they'd like, that it's because of his sexual orientation.

 

That's kind of a chickensh#t way to look at it, Allen.

 

From all indications, Sam is a helluva player. No one is talking about where they'd "like" Sam to be drafted. He already had everyone's attention and had already been assigned his draft prediction. Haven't heard the suggestion beyond yours that his coming out would actually RAISE his draft position.

 

It's a pretty big sports story. Sam made a difficult choice. Missouri had to get out ahead of it. So did the NFL. Everyone handled it well.

 

Still, I'm impressed we got to 38 posts without a snippy retort.

I wasn't being snippy, just remember from multiple people that he wasn't projected very highly in the first place. And if you don't believe people could try and take advantage of certain situations to better themselves, idk what to tell you. I commend the man for coming out. But just like Manti Teo', I think there's a shot (not necessarily saying it was for sure the reason) that he could have done it to attempt to get his name out there more. I do also believe he just doesn't want to hide the fact that he's gay anymore. I just get suspicious when stuff like the happens just before draft day.

[husker_99]

That's because their trying to get an average player drafted higher by making it out to be that if he isn't drafted where they'd like, that it's because of his sexual orientation.

 

That's kind of a chickensh#t way to look at it, Allen.

 

From all indications, Sam is a helluva player. No one is talking about where they'd "like" Sam to be drafted. He already had everyone's attention and had already been assigned his draft prediction. Haven't heard the suggestion beyond yours that his coming out would actually RAISE his draft position.

 

It's a pretty big sports story. Sam made a difficult choice. Missouri had to get out ahead of it. So did the NFL. Everyone handled it well.

 

Still, I'm impressed we got to 38 posts without a snippy retort.

I wasn't being snippy, just remember from multiple people that he wasn't projected very highly in the first place. And if you don't believe people could try and take advantage of certain situations to better themselves, idk what to tell you. I commend the man for coming out. But just like Manti Teo', I think there's a shot (not necessarily saying it was for sure the reason) that he could have done it to attempt to get his name out there more. I do also believe he just doesn't want to hide the fact that he's gay anymore. I just get suspicious when stuff like the happens just before draft day.

but he should have at the very least told his parents before he told the world. also the nfl locker rooms are different than college. I didn't know who he was before the announcement and if he fails in the nfl i hope he doesn't use being gay as an excuse rather than he just failed.

[Guy Chamberlin]

Being "spiritual" or even Christian doesn't automatically make one intolerant based on sexual orientation.

 

Not at all. But if we're talking Ron Brown, we're talking some pretty deep, dark predjudice delivered in a very public and judgemental way.

 

Have you ever talked to him or do you just read the papers?

 

Just read the papers. All the stuff Ron said in a public forum. If the private Ron doesn't believe the things he said in public, that would be pretty interesting.

[Guy Chamberlin]

That's because their trying to get an average player drafted higher by making it out to be that if he isn't drafted where they'd like, that it's because of his sexual orientation.

 

That's kind of a chickensh#t way to look at it, Allen.

 

From all indications, Sam is a helluva player. No one is talking about where they'd "like" Sam to be drafted. He already had everyone's attention and had already been assigned his draft prediction. Haven't heard the suggestion beyond yours that his coming out would actually RAISE his draft position.

 

It's a pretty big sports story. Sam made a difficult choice. Missouri had to get out ahead of it. So did the NFL. Everyone handled it well.

 

Still, I'm impressed we got to 38 posts without a snippy retort.

I wasn't being snippy, just remember from multiple people that he wasn't projected very highly in the first place. And if you don't believe people could try and take advantage of certain situations to better themselves, idk what to tell you. I commend the man for coming out. But just like Manti Teo', I think there's a shot (not necessarily saying it was for sure the reason) that he could have done it to attempt to get his name out there more. I do also believe he just doesn't want to hide the fact that he's gay anymore. I just get suspicious when stuff like the happens just before draft day.

but he should have at the very least told his parents before he told the world. also the nfl locker rooms are different than college. I didn't know who he was before the announcement and if he fails in the nfl i hope he doesn't use being gay as an excuse rather than he just failed.

 

I couldn't list many of the players projected to go in the 3rd thru 6th rounds of the draft myself, which is where Sam was slated before he came out.

 

He was a first team All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year before he came out, too.

 

Sam have to prove himself all over again on the NFL field. I'm sure nobody knows that better than Sam.

[husker_99]

That's because their trying to get an average player drafted higher by making it out to be that if he isn't drafted where they'd like, that it's because of his sexual orientation.

 

That's kind of a chickensh#t way to look at it, Allen.

 

From all indications, Sam is a helluva player. No one is talking about where they'd "like" Sam to be drafted. He already had everyone's attention and had already been assigned his draft prediction. Haven't heard the suggestion beyond yours that his coming out would actually RAISE his draft position.

 

It's a pretty big sports story. Sam made a difficult choice. Missouri had to get out ahead of it. So did the NFL. Everyone handled it well.

 

Still, I'm impressed we got to 38 posts without a snippy retort.

I wasn't being snippy, just remember from multiple people that he wasn't projected very highly in the first place. And if you don't believe people could try and take advantage of certain situations to better themselves, idk what to tell you. I commend the man for coming out. But just like Manti Teo', I think there's a shot (not necessarily saying it was for sure the reason) that he could have done it to attempt to get his name out there more. I do also believe he just doesn't want to hide the fact that he's gay anymore. I just get suspicious when stuff like the happens just before draft day.

but he should have at the very least told his parents before he told the world. also the nfl locker rooms are different than college. I didn't know who he was before the announcement and if he fails in the nfl i hope he doesn't use being gay as an excuse rather than he just failed.

 

I couldn't list many of the players projected to go in the 3rd thru 6th rounds of the draft myself, which is where Sam was slated before he came out.

 

He was a first team All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year before he came out, too.

 

Sam have to prove himself all over again on the NFL field. I'm sure nobody knows that better than Sam.

Maybe he does maybe he doesn't. honestly coming out before the draft probably wasn't smart. I'm sure there will be some teams that will hold it against him.

[zoogs]

....not nearly as much as they would've if it came out of the blue during fall camp.

 

Most NFL teams knew about this already. Reporters knew about it and wanted to be the ones to break the story. Sam didn't have much of a choice and he's doing what's best for himself, which is to get ahead of it all and announce it the right way, on his terms, before somebody else writes his story for him. Good for him, he seems to be doing everything the right way.

[Count 'Bility]

I did. I looked at the staff in '04 and '05. I guess I need you to fill me in. I'm not familiar with any of them except Kennedy, so I really have no clue. I wouldve thought you meant Brown too, but I already knew he wasnt there. Unless you mean Gill? I know he's quite spiritual as well.

 

We have to keep in perspective that this was going on 10 years ago. Obviously society has really progressed a sh#t ton since then, in my opinion. Hell, I know I have.

 

Being "spiritual" or even Christian doesn't automatically make one intolerant based on sexual orientation.

Did I say that?

 

No. I didnt.

 

I was just insinuating that in my opinion, the only one one may think it would be is Gill, with his spiritual background and all. I personally dont think it'd be him, because I dont see Gill as like that. Or Coach Brown for that matter.

[Landlord]

but he should have at the very least told his parents before he told the world.

 

 

Have you read that his parents didn't know? Because his entire football team in college knew.

[VectorVictor]

At the risk of totally derailing the thread, the best reader response to the Deadspin article:

 

Sounds like the only college football player who was afraid to come out of the closet was Craig James' kid.

 

[grandpasknee]

I'm a little surprised and quite ashamed that apparently so many think Ron would be/might be the person to make him feel uncomfortable. I know Ron's public position on the subject very well but I also feel I know quite a bit more about him as a person. IMO, he would be the last person on staff to make a gay person feel unwelcomed or uncomfortable.

I'm guessing, and only guessing based on my own beliefs, that Ron would view it as a sin. Having said that, my teaching (that I have received and believe) is that regardless of the sin, you hate the sin, but love the sinner. I think that is how Ron would have / or does feel, and not just about sexual preference, but anything that is considered sin......hating, cursing, stealing, lying, adultery, etc.

[Junior]

i don't know, jj. i see what you are saying, but when you have publicly lobbied for the legality to discriminate against homosexuals, you can not be too surprised that some people might think you would make homosexuals feel uncomfortable.

 

That's a fair point but I would like to believe well read and knowledgeable fans, as I believe many HBers are, should also know his positions on judging others and the difference between being against something he views as sinful but not being against the sinner. I'm not saying I agree with his public stance on it but I sure haven't seen any other evidence that he is anything less than accepting and supportive of those he interacts with.

 

But I sure can see where simply knowing a person is opposed to homosexuality could cause a gay person to be uncomfortable even with no additional reasons to feel that way.

 

 

Come on, can you imagine feeling comfortable around Ron Brown if you were gay? After he said this:

 

"I think Christians should love a homosexual teammate just like they would any other teammate," Brown said. "Let me tell you what else is in that locker room. There are thieves, liars, people who lust, people addicted to pornography, even some players who are alcoholics. There are all kinds of sinners in that locker room."

Ah, the age-old tactic of likening gay people to liars and alcoholics. Real welcoming, right?

Then:

"You put your arms around that person struggling with homosexuality and you help walk him or her to the truth of Jesus Christ, just as you would any other player involved in any other sin."

 

Sure... love the sinner, but try to change them. Seems so... welcoming.

 

http://www.outsports.com/2012/3/20/4052808/nebraska-fire-assistant-football-coach-ron-brown

[TAKODA]

I'm a little surprised and quite ashamed that apparently so many think Ron would be/might be the person to make him feel uncomfortable. I know Ron's public position on the subject very well but I also feel I know quite a bit more about him as a person. IMO, he would be the last person on staff to make a gay person feel unwelcomed or uncomfortable.

I'm guessing, and only guessing based on my own beliefs, that Ron would view it as a sin. Having said that, my teaching (that I have received and believe) is that regardless of the sin, you hate the sin, but love the sinner. I think that is how Ron would have / or does feel, and not just about sexual preference, but anything that is considered sin......hating, cursing, stealing, lying, adultery, etc.

 

 

+1 as this is what I feel he would do as well, plus is the way I look at life as well. Very well stated grandpasknee!

[Landlord]

i don't know, jj. i see what you are saying, but when you have publicly lobbied for the legality to discriminate against homosexuals, you can not be too surprised that some people might think you would make homosexuals feel uncomfortable.

 

That's a fair point but I would like to believe well read and knowledgeable fans, as I believe many HBers are, should also know his positions on judging others and the difference between being against something he views as sinful but not being against the sinner. I'm not saying I agree with his public stance on it but I sure haven't seen any other evidence that he is anything less than accepting and supportive of those he interacts with.

 

But I sure can see where simply knowing a person is opposed to homosexuality could cause a gay person to be uncomfortable even with no additional reasons to feel that way.

 

 

Come on, can you imagine feeling comfortable around Ron Brown if you were gay? After he said this:

 

"I think Christians should love a homosexual teammate just like they would any other teammate," Brown said. "Let me tell you what else is in that locker room. There are thieves, liars, people who lust, people addicted to pornography, even some players who are alcoholics. There are all kinds of sinners in that locker room."

Ah, the age-old tactic of likening gay people to liars and alcoholics. Real welcoming, right?

Then:

"You put your arms around that person struggling with homosexuality and you help walk him or her to the truth of Jesus Christ, just as you would any other player involved in any other sin."

 

Sure... love the sinner, but try to change them. Seems so... welcoming.

 

http://www.outsports...coach-ron-brown

 

 

There's a difference between comparing and equating that I don't think you or the writer of that article understand. He is not saying they are the same thing - he is saying people are people and he doesn't differentiate.

[Junior]

 

There's a difference between comparing and equating that I don't think you understand. He is not saying they are the same thing - he is saying people are people and he doesn't differentiate.

 

Don't mistake the article's words for mine. I'm focusing on this part:

 

"You put your arms around that person struggling with homosexuality and you help walk him or her to the truth of Jesus Christ, just as you would any other player involved in any other sin."

[Landlord]

 

There's a difference between comparing and equating that I don't think you understand. He is not saying they are the same thing - he is saying people are people and he doesn't differentiate.

 

Don't mistake the articles words for mine. I'm focusing on this part:

 

"You put your arms around that person struggling with homosexuality and you help walk him or her to the truth of Jesus Christ, just as you would any other player involved in any other sin."

 

 

And what, exactly, is wrong with this?

 

Every single person that has ever lived on this planet has done so with the mentality of hoping and wanting the best for the people they care about. If you think living for Jesus is best, you're going to live your life hoping people get to that point, and it is going to influence your actions explicitly and implicitly. It's no different than if you think living tolerant of everyone's personal decisions is best in life, or if you think making a lot of money is best in life, or if you think getting married and starting a family is best in life, etc.

 

Your values affect your relationships. This is true of everyone in every walk of life.