The world we live in can be a cruel place.  If you simply turn on your television to any news channel, you see episodes of hatred and violence appear before you.  In many cases people of different religions, races, and sexual orientations are discriminated against just because they are different.  Sometimes, one might think that attempting to blend in with what our society calls “normal” might be the safest and easiest way to live our lives.  This was not the thought process of young Missouri football star Michael Sam.

On February 9, 2014, with the entire world as his audience, Michael Sam told the New York Times and ESPN that he was gay.  Sam, who came out to his Missouri teammates last August, decided it was time for the world to know.  To some people, Michael Sam coming out may not seem like a big deal.  Jason Collins, NBA veteran, came out to the world last year, so why is Sam so special?  What makes this coming out so significant, is that the NFL has had its fair share of drama involving “bullying” of players in the last few months.  Multiple reports have been brought to the surface of the constant and merciless bullying of Dolphins player Jonathan Martin by fellow teammates.  Players may use Sam’s sexuality as a tool to get into his head during games.  Coaches and owners might shy away from giving Sam a spot on their team because they don’t want the press breathing down their necks.  It would have been easier if he would have just not said anything.  This is why it was such a bold move.

Michael Sam will enter the NFL Draft this year as the Co- Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC.  This is no walk-on punter from some community college coming out.  This is a potential future NFL star telling the world that the only thing that matters is how he plays on the field.  I could not agree more.  We can all learn something from Michael Sam.  Sometimes the right thing to do is not the easiest to do.  We owe it to him, and all the other gay athletes out there, to judge them on only their skill on the playing field.  I will personally be rooting for Michael this year, and I know that if he transfers this fearlessness to the football field, he will be a force to reckon with in the NFL.