Respected NFL analyst and former coach Tony Dungy usually garners respect with his comments and opinions, but his thoughts on openly gay Michael Sam didn’t align with much of the general public.
During an interview with the Tampa Bay Tribune, Dungy, who became the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007, thought the media circus following Sam would be too much for his team to contend with.
“I wouldn’t have taken him,” Dungy told the publication before adding some clarity to his statements. “Not because I don’t believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play, but I wouldn’t want to deal with all of it.”
Sam announced he was proud and openly gay in February and became the subject of countless headlines leading up to his seventh round draft with the St. Louis Rams.
“It’s not going to be totally smooth… things will happen,” Dungy concluded.
Unfortunately, not everyone shared Dungy’s bleak optimism on the matter and blasted him with insults, memes and criticism. Dungy had been one of the more vocal NFL figures campaigning for Michael Vick’s second chance after being convicted of felony dog fighting charges. Combine that with his position with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action, and Dungy was all but pelted with the title of a bible-thumping homophobe.
TMZ caught up with Michael Sam’s rep who said his client was refusing to comment on Dungy’s remarks and was only focused on football at the moment.
Check out the people in the gallery who felt the compelled to take the exact opposite stance.
—
Photos: Twitter
