Fox analyst Terry Bradshaw, who was
inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989, says Michael Sam
should be judged as a football player.
Last
week, the 24-year-old All-American defensive end from Missouri
signed a 4-year contract with the St. Louis Rams, making Sam the
NFL's first openly gay player.
During an appearance on Larry King
NOW, Bradshaw said he was not phased by Sam's coming out.
“How will the NFL deal with Mr. Sam
and the rest that are going to come?” host Larry King asked.
“I think Michael Sam has painted a
picture of himself as a football player number one, and that’s how
he will be judged, and that’s how he should be judged and not
because he’s a gay athlete that came out,” Bradshaw answered.
“Was I shocked by that? No. It didn’t even phase me. Didn’t
phase me at all. But he has to be judged as a football player,
understanding he went to a football team loaded on defense. Loaded.
So his chances are going to be he’s really going to have to shine
on special teams and really have that special spark when he plays to
make that football team. You have to judge him as a football player.
Simply that. The rest is to the side. That’s his choice.”
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