UPDATED: Thanks to the media explosion over Michael Sam's coming out, there's been an influx of oh-so-predictable homophobic responses generating media attention. But amidst some ugliness, are a stream of snappy retorts and snack downs to those voicing not-so-thinly-veiled resistance to an openly gay man playing in the NFL.
Here's the top 5 we've seen thus far (let's add this from a Dallas sportscaster to the top of the list!), so feel free to share them with that loudmouth, anti-gay relative or co-worker in your life.
-- This series of Tweets from ex-NFL star Donte Stallworth might be the best comprehensive argument yet aimed at resistant NFL executives, coaches, etc., who complain that gay players would be a "distraction" both on and off the field. The former New England Patriot tweeted, "If any NFL team can't 'handle the media coverage' of drafting Sam, then your team is already a loser on the field."
-- This highlight from Frank Bruni's brilliant New York Times piece, on how player's might respond to those wandering gay eyes in the locker room: "I’d advise him to do what countless females of our species have done with leering males through history. Step away. Move on. Dare I say woman up?"
-- One more Bruni jab to those players obsessed with being ogeled in their towels: "...you know what? He probably wasn’t checking you out...It’s a locker room, for heaven’s sake. Not last call at the Rawhide."
-- Does it get any better than this from Cyd Zeigler of Outsports.com: “I’m so telling your boyfriend you stole a peek.”
-- Oh, and we really like this ShoutOutHealth tweet, too: "Wonder if any homophobes out there wanna bully the (now) openly gay, #260 lbs NFL prospect Michael Sam?"
What better way to wrap this up than with Sam's own words: "I may be the first (gay player), but I won't be the last. I think only good things are going to come from this."
Now it's your turn, share your own favorite responses (or write an original) in the comments!
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