With the NFL draft just around the corner, All-American Michael Sam received support from several NFL legends who all voiced their admiration for the former Missouri defensive lineman's courage to reveal his sexuality and said they believe the first-openly gay prospect in the league will fare well in pro football.
Hall of Famer Harry Carson said that he played with offensive lineman Roy Simmons in the '80s, and although there were rumors back then about Simmons being gay, his teammates never looked at him as something different. He said via ESPN.com: "We're a team, and guys on the team, they're going to support their teammate regardless of how they choose to live their life. I was a captain on that team and would have made certain that nothing would have happened; not on my watch."
Simmons eventually admitted that he was gay in 1992 after his career in the NFL.
Another Hall of Famer, cornerback Michael Haynes, said that Gay's decision to come out was a good one because people these days are more tolerant of gays. He added that he believes Sam will get drafted, making him the first openly gay player to be active in the NFL.
His thoughts were backed by another Hall of Famer, Barry Sanders. He told ESPN: "I've heard of guys that were gay back then. But certainly there's been a shift in public opinion and what have you. I'm assuming it may have been different [had a player come out during my career]."
The NFL legends, who were part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest, agreed that Sam will be fine in the NFL. Said cornerback Roger Wehrli: "In the locker rooms, people don't worry about your personal life as long as you produce on the field and you're a good teammate."
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