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San Antonio had broken 100 points just once
Missouri All-American Michael Sam says he is gay, and the defensive end could become the first openly homosexual player in the NFL. Cowboys Jerseys China . In interviews with ESPN, The New York Times and Outsports that were published Sunday, Sam said he came out to all his teammates and coaches at Missouri in August. "I am an openly, proud gay man," he said. Sam will participate in the NFL combine later this month in Indianapolis and is currently projected to be a mid-round draft pick in May. "Its a big deal. No one has done this before. And its kind of a nervous process, but I know what I want to be ... I want to be a football player in the NFL," he told ESPN. The 6-foot-2, 255-pound Sam participated in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., last month after leading the Southeastern Conference in sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (19). He was the SEC defensive player of the year. There have been a few NFL players who have come out after their playing days, including Kwame Harris and Dave Kopay. Last year, NBA player Jason Collins announced he was gay after the season. Collins, a 35-year-old backup centre, was a free agent when he came out and has not signed with a new team this season. MLS star and U.S. national team player Robbie Rogers also came out a year ago. "His courage will inspire millions to live their truth," Rogers tweeted about Sam. Division III Willamette kicker Conner Mertens, a redshirt freshman, said last month he was bisexual. "We admire Michael Sams honesty and courage," the NFL said in statement. "Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014." Sams announcement comes at a time gay rights issues and sports have collided at the Olympics in Sochi. Russias anti-gay law has received much attention, and criticism, because of the games. "By rewriting the script for countless young athletes, Michael has demonstrated the leadership that, along with his impressive skills on the field, makes him a natural fit for the NFL," said Sarah Kate Ellis, president of GLAAD, a leading lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender media advocacy organization. "With acceptance of LGBT people rising across our coasts -- in our schools, churches, and workplaces -- its clear that America is ready for an openly gay football star." The NFLs sexual orientation, anti-discrimination and harassment policy states: Coaches, General Managers and others responsible for interviewing and hiring draft-eligible players and free agents must not seek information concerning or make personnel decisions based on a players sexual orientation. This includes asking questions during an interview that suggest that the players sexual orientation will be a factor in the decision to draft or sign him. Examples: Do you like women or men? How well do you do with the ladies? Do you have a girlfriend? Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams tweeted: "I could care less about a mans sexual preference! i care about winning games and being respectful in the locker room!" Williams teammate, cornerback Drayton Florence, posted on his Twitter account: "No comment but it can be a distraction in the locker room. At least hes open with it much respect!" Sam said many people at the Senior Bowl, an all-star game for NFL prospects, seemed to know he was gay. "I didnt realize how many people actually knew, and I was afraid that someone would tell or leak something out about me," he told ESPN. "I want to own my truth. ... No one else should tell my story but me." Sam told the Times he dated a man on the Missouri swim team and came out to teammates LDamian Washington and Marvin Foster about a year ago, before letting the whole team know during last preseason. "Coaches just wanted to know a little about ourselves, our majors, where were from, and something that no one knows about you," Sam told ESPN. "And I used that opportunity just to tell them that I was gay. And their reaction was like, Michael Sam finally told us." Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said in a statement Sunday night he was proud of Sam and how he represented the program. "Michael is a great example of just how important it is to be respectful of others, hes taught a lot of people here firsthand that it doesnt matter what your background is, or your personal orientation, were all on the same team and we all support each other," Pinkel said. "If Michael doesnt have the support of his teammates like he did this past year, I dont think theres any way he has the type of season he put together." Missouri linebacker Donovan Bonner was a teammate of Sams for five years. "We knew of his status for 5 years and not one team member, coach, or staff member said anything says a lot about our family atmosphere," Bonner tweeted. Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop . -- The Phoenix Coyotes have won three in a row for the first time in 4 1/2 months, and theyve done it just in time for the stretch run to the playoffs. Dallas Cowboys Shirts . He never mentioned anything about his hitting. The 33-year-old right-hander had success with both Sunday, pitching six solid innings and helping the offence-starved Mets with an RBI single as New York salvaged a doubleheader split with a 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.SAN ANTONIO - Jeff Ayres had 15 points and rookie Kyle Anderson added 14 points as the San Antonio Spurs overcame DeMarcus Cousins 32 points and 11 rebounds to rally for a 106-99 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.Marco Belinelli scored 14 points and Tony Parker had 13 points and five assists for San Antonio (2-3).Rudy Gay scored 18 points for Sacramento (2-4). Carl Landry added 15 points and Darren Collison had 14.The Spurs forced nine turnovers in the third, outscoring the Kings 28-18 in the quarter. Aron Baynes reverse layup pulled San Antonio within 78-77 with 12.8 seconds left in the third.Andersons dunk on a 3-on-1 fast break with 9 minutes left gave San Antonio an 83-82 lead, which the teams would exchange until the Spurs took control in the final minutes.Anderson stole the ball in the backcourt and raced to the basket for a layup despite being hacked on the left forearm by Collison with 2:36 remaining.Cousins dominated with Tim Duncan missing the game to rest, hitting step-back jumpers when he wasnt bullying a series of defenders in the paint. He scored Sacramentos first six points and finished the first quarter with 13 points, including going 5 for 8 on free throws.Parker took it up on himself to score with the Spurs struggling early, running off screens for pull-up jumpers and driving to the basket. After pulling San Antonio within 14-9, Parker began distributing.Sacramento went on a 24-6 run after Bryce Cottons 3-pointer gave San Antonio its first lead with 7:31 remaining in thhe first half. Wholesale Cowboys Jerseys. Cousins had six points, three rebounds, a steal and a block in the run. Gay had nine points in the run, including a three-point play gave Sacramento a 60-44 lead after sinking a free throw to complete a three-point playTIP-INSThe Kings: Sacramento coach Michael Malone is squarely on Team Pop in the Spurs coachs minor tiff with Robert Sarver. The Phoenix Suns owner apologized to the fans Thursday because San Antonio was without five players for a preseason game, leading Popovich to say he was surprised the speech wasnt uttered in a chicken suit. I got a kick out of the whole Phoenix thing and whats going on with that. I love watching it from a far. No one can ever question how Pop runs his team. His results speak for themselves. . G Nik Stauskas sat out the game by coachs decision to rest. The rookie guard out of Michigan is averaging 9.6 points in 24.4 minutes while playing the teams first five preseason games. . Sacramento entered Mondays game with five players averaging double-figure scoring in the preseason. Cousins upped his preseason average to 17.6 points in five games.The Spurs: Duncan sat out his second game of the season. Duncan is averaging 16.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in 29.7 minutes through three games. . San Antonio had broken 100 points just once in the preseason entering Monday. . Rookies Anderson, Green and Cotton have scored 91 points during the preseason.UP NEXTSan Antonio plays host to Atlanta on Wednesday.Sacramento visits Lakers on Friday. ' ' '
- Created: Dec 16 '19
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