Michael Sam's football skills under spotlight at NFL combine
OPINION - Starting today, he’ll have to show he’s got speed, burst and power; qualities that have nothing to do with his size...
When Michael Sam announced he was gay two weeks ago, the public wondered how he would perceived by teammates, fans and the NFL.
When Sam showed up to the NFL Combine this weekend, everyone is wondering the same thing: How he will perform. And ultimately his sexuality won’t matter. It’s how fast his 40 time is, how many bench press reps he can do and how he performs in drills. Those factors will determine just how high the first openly gay NFL player will be drafted.
Sam addressed the media on Saturday. He wore a rainbow-covered button, a symbol of gay pride. As usual, he was open, thoughtful, and represented himself as a great human being.
“I just wish you guys would just see me as Michael Sam the football player instead of Michael Sam the gay football player,” he said.
Sam was an extremely productive college player. Earning co-Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC last year is an unbelievable accomplishment.
But he’s also undersized for his position. He’s considered a “tweener.” Scouts have legitimate concerns if he has the size to compete against lineman at the pro level.
Starting today, he’ll have to show he’s got speed, burst and power; qualities that have nothing to do with his size. If he goes out and runs a 4.5 40, he’ll solidify himself as a mid-round pick. If he runs a 4.7, and performs poorly in vertical jump and cone drills, he’ll be a late-round pick, and the issue of whether GMs are scared to draft him because he’s gay will be a dominant storyline.
The only way to squash that storyline, and make it a non-factor in a GM’s decision, is by having a productive and impressive Combine. Drafting a gay player gives several NFL teams pause. Drafting a gay player who may end up not being that good is an even bigger issue.
Working in Sam’s favor is the advent of NFL teams looking for elite pass rushers. Good teams – like the Super-Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks for example – try to shuffle linemen in and out throughout the game, to ensure there are talented rushers who can sack quarterbacks in the game at all times. Sam feels he can fit in that mold.
“I’m a pass-rusher. If you put me in a situation to get the quarterback, I’m going to get the quarterback,” Sam said. “Whoever the coaches, the GMs, this league is a passing league, and I like to believe in myself as a good pass-rusher.”
If Sam performs well this week, and shows he can be a productive speed rusher or stand-up linebacker, he’ll get drafted in the middle rounds. A player as decorated as him will get a shot (deservingly).
But if he performs poorly, don’t be surprised if he slips to as late as the last round. With the “distractions” every NFL GM is worrying about, if he doesn’t play well it’ll be easy for GMs to blame that on why they don’t take a chance on him.
Sam has already been a change in sports. This week will decide just how big that change will be.
Follow Stefen Lovelace on Twitter @StefenLovelace.
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