Former NFL head coach Tony Dungy revealed that he would not have drafted Michael Sam because he would be too much of a distraction.
Defensive end Michael Sam made headlines before the NFL draft after coming out as gay, and some NFL executives were reported to be afraid of Sam being a distraction for their team if they drafted him.
Although he is no longer coaching in the NFL, former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy said he would not have drafted the former Missouri star. “I wouldn’t have taken him. 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. It’s not going to be totally smooth. Things will happen,” the Super Bowl-winning coach told the Tampa Tribune.
Sam fell in the draft before he was selected in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams. Although his draft selection was late, Sam’s resume includes winning Defensive Player of the Year for Missouri in 2013 with 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.
However, Sam may struggle to make the roster since the talent at defensive end is already loaded. It will be interesting to see if every other team considers him a “distraction” as well if the Rams cut him after training camp.
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