Micheal Sam a Packer? Green Bay Packers Coach: Our Team Welcomes All Players

[Scuba]

http://www.bilerico.com/2014/02/green_bay_packers_coach_our_team_welcomes_all_play.php

Yesterday, during a scheduled media day in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy told members of the press that any player, regardless of sexual orientation, is absolutely welcome on his team as long as he can play professional-level football.

Speaking about Michael Sam, the University of Missouri star defensive lineman and NFL draft prospect who came out as gay last weekend, McCarthy said: "I think you definitely have to feel that he's a courageous young man, but my understanding is that he's a talented player. We've always from day one talked about our program and our culture. Ted [Thompson, general manager] and I are going through the draft process right now, and at the end of the day it comes down to good football players. Any player that can come here and be a good teammate, follow the rules of our program which is one, be respectful and produce on the football field, we've got room for that guy."

Assistant coaches Winston Moss and Alex Van Pelt both echoed McCarthy's pledge that the Green Bay Packers are a team that does not discriminate. Said Van Pelt, "That's very courageous on his part, there's no question. If anybody can come in and help us win games and be successful -- black, white, yellow, straight, gay -- I don't think it matters. As long as you're a good person and you're respectful in the locker room to each other, then you can help us win on Sundays and are welcome."

Seeing these words brings a swell of hometown pride to this Green Bay native's heart. The Packers are a religion in my hometown -- and understandably so, because they're the best team in the NFL -- so inclusive, pro-LGBT statements like this from the team's head coach and staff will go along way towards both combating homophobia in football and reshaping the dialogue around LGBT equality in Wisconsin.

[Ed Suspicious]

1. It would take a position switch to outside linebacker, but I could see where he might fit in there.

He's an undersized defensive end in the 4-3 and way undersized in the 3-4. He could line up as a counterpart to Clay Matthews potentially.

[Ed Suspicious]

2. But to your point, it was nice to see that response out of Green Bay.

[TomClash]

3. Kraft and Belichik basically said the same thing

Which NFL GM is going to pass up a guy who he really likes as a player just because the guy is gay? Pretty much no one.

Since 2004, almost every SEC defensive player of the year has been a first round pick (one selection was in the second round). Clowney won it in 2012 and he will probably be one of the first three picks in the entire draft. Hard to see Sam not being drafted at all.

[awoke_in_2003]

7. Belichik would be a good choice...

He demands only one thing- performance. Even with all the injuries on the team, they went much further than many thought they would. He coaches the entire team, not just the starting 22.

[TomClash]

11. True

Here was Belichik's press release on Michael Sam:

"“We evaluate all the players, including Michael Sam, based on the totality of who they are and who can best contribute to our team and organization, regardless of the matters being discussed today. They all have strengths, they all have weaknesses and no two human beings are identical.

“Our scouting staff has performed extensive work on Michael, both this season and going back throughout his career. That work will continue through the draft process this spring.”

Here are Patriots' owner Bob Kraft's comments:

" We're about winning," Kraft told the Boston Herald. "And anyone who can come in here and help us win, I personally don't care what their ethnic background is, their racial background, the gender preference. If they can help us win, and they're about team first, then I'm happy to have him here."

Kraft says he hasn't spoken to Belichick about Sam but added that "he knows that I would encourage him if (Sam) can help us win."

“He and I have discussed this in the past,” Kraft continued. “Anyone who can help us win.”

[awoke_in_2003]

12. I really want to hate Belichik...

this makes it a little harder to.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

14. To be honest, this is what all coaches are going to say

I didn't actually expect him to say "He's gay, don't want him...." Only anonymous cowards do that.

It will basically come down to "Can he make it talent-wise?" Period.

[cali]

24. he's one of the very few democrats in NFL coaching and management.

[awoke_in_2003]

30. I sport's hate him...

sport's hate is when you hate a person, but would love them if they were on your team. The guy is a great coach.

[bullwinkle428]

4. I'm glad that some of these guys are emphasizing the courageous aspect of

his announcement, and realizing how much this could show as far as what he do on the field.

[DemocraticWing]

5. I've thought that Sam would be good for the Pack if we move him to LB.

He's certainly a talented guy, and I would think he could be a valuable contributor. The Packers are a pretty accepting environment, even Vince Lombardi in the 60s was openly accepting of LGBT people.

[Dawgs]

6. Or an Atlanta Falcon..

Atlanta Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff to ESPN:

"We recognize and appreciate the courage that Michael Sam demonstrated with his recent announcement," Dimitroff said in a statement "The NFL has always valued inclusion and diversity. As a team-builder, our job is to judge players on their talent, character and potential. His announcement will have no bearing on how we evaluate him as a football player."

http://www.projectqatlanta.com/news_articles/view/falcons_make_it_clear_gay_prospect_ok_with_us?gid=15099

[sulphurdunn]

8. Who would expect less

from the only publicly owned team in American professional sports?

[navarth]

21. This is certainly the biggest factor in my

inability to hate Green Bay. I'm only able to hate them 2 days a year.

The rest of the year I'm deeply respecting their public ownership, the only one if the NFL.

[Omaha Steve]

9. Omaha Steve is proud to be a share owner in the 13 time WORLD CHAMPIONS today!

The Packers are the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team in the United States.

[Packerowner740]

18. I'm with you, I am also a shareholder/owner

I stand with TT and McCarthy.

[big_dog]

27. public owenersip of sports franchises is awesome

[AAO]

39. I too own one single share of the Green Bay Packers.

For that I get a newly remodeled Lambeau Field. Thank you, Packers for the opportunity.

[El_Johns]

29. +1. Because the league made a rule there could never be such a thing again.

[SCVDem]

10. I also proudly own Packer stock!

I agree with ny team.

[dembotoz]

13. aaron rodgers dropped like a rock in the draft and i think that worked out ok for green bay

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. The Packers have a Legacy of acceptance, dating back to Lombardi's days.

I exhort anyone who missed it to catch the 2 part "A Football Life: Vince Lombardi"

It's an eye-opening look, not only into the best coach who ever walked the sidelines, but also into a man who was DECADES ahead of his time.

Every time I post a thread about it, it sinks.

[navarth]

22. Sorry about the thread sinking

I never saw one, but I would have kicked it. Lombardi was a giant.

Our new offensive coordinator is his grandson.............

[DiverDave]

16. I saw that, a human being as a coach, whoulda thunk it?

eom

[Blue Owl]

17. Vince Lombardi would be proud

Very proud indeed.

[Eleanors38]

19. Hmm. An NFL bidding war to be most gay-friendly.

[ScreamingMeemie]

26. Green Bay doesn't need to "bid."

It's who they've always been.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/03/vince-lombardi-accepted-gay-players-on-his-team/

[Eleanors38]

31. Well, I hope it spreads.

[CFLDem]

20. Of course they would

[insert politically incorrect joke here]



But in all seriousness, every team should be just as accepting.

Now if only da Bears could draft him...

[navarth]

23. As a Lions fan I say

Good on ya, Green Bay.

[cali]

25. if that brought a swell of pride to the author, this should bring a tide of shame:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/14/us-usa-nfl-sharp-charges-idUSBREA1D1HG20140214

[AAO]

40. Why should any Packer fan feel shame?

Sharper was a great player for us, but he hasn't been with the team for 10 years, and what the hell do Packer fans have to do with his legal troubles? He played for our team for 7 years. After that he played for the Vikings and the Saints. Maybe those teams had something to do with his change in personality.

[seabeyond]

28. "As long as you're a good person and you're respectful"... THIS is why i will always cheer on the

packers. this is what sports should be and was in my day....

[DeSwiss]

32. K&R

- Green Bay. Of course.

[rocktivity]

33. Ah, but will Packer FANS welcome him?

That's what the NFL is REALLY worried about.


rocktivity

[Scuba]

34. 49.5% will, 50.5% will not, at least based on the 2012 recall results.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

36. Politics ends at the Oneida Gate

If Sam is an Pro Bowl caliber player and makes a difference, at least half of the asshats will welcome him.

[Scuba]

37. I love of the Packers stronger than hate of "other"? Let's hope so.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

35. Vince Lombardi...

When people think of Lombardi, they think of this hard-as-nails, old-school guy. And they'd be right about that. But there was another side to the man.

When he took over as head coach in 1959, it was still an era of segregation in professional sports and in society. In lily-white Green Bay, Lombardi made it very clear with local merchants where he stood on the subject, telling them that if they ever refused service to one of his African American players, their business would be off-limits to the entire franchise.

Or in the immortal words of defensive end Jordan Taylor, "He treats us all the same...like dogs."

In his year coaching the Washington Redskins (just prior to his death), there was a player Ray McDonald who was semi-outed and trying to make the roster. Lombardi told his assistants to work with McDonald to help him make the team, reminding the staff, "If I hear one of you people making reference to his manhood, you'll be out of here before you ass hits the ground."

Lombardi's daughter Susan recalls: He was discriminated against as a dark-skinned Italian American when he was younger, when he felt he was passed up for coaching jobs that he deserved. He felt the pain of discrimination, and so he raised his family to accept everybody, no matter what color they were or whatever their sexual orientation was."

Proud to be a Packer fan...

[AAO]

38. Wisconsin born, lived here 59 years (and counting)

This does not surprise me in the least. The Packers are a VERY progressive organization. They're a football operation with a heart. Not wanting to risk causing paralysis by bringing nick Collins back. Bringing Johnny Jolly back from prison and drug addiction and him making a big impact on the defense. They probably will let Finley go for the same reason as Collins. They could be a better team by bringing them back, but their love and respect for the player overrides any business decisions.

Go Pack!