By: Brandon Kiley (The Morning Blitz: Tuesday through Friday 7-8AM)
INDIANAPOLIS – Michael Sam stepped to the podium, flashed his (soon-to-be) million-dollar smile and won the media over one question at a time.
This was Michael Sam’s moment. This was his day to show the media, the public, who he really is. Michael Sam is a lot of things, but today we learned that, above all else, Michael Sam is likeable.
Michael Sam wishes that all of this wasn’t a story. He wishes he could be judged solely based upon his playing abilities. He wishes we could move on from the story as a whole.
“Heck yeah, I’d love for you to ask me how my training is going. I wish you guys could see me as Michael Sam the football player instead of Michael Sam the gay football player,” Michael Sam said.
But Sam also knows how unrealistic that is. So he moves on and handles the situation with conviction and pride. Sam mentioned that he was wearing a “Stand with Sam” pin during his press conference. He went on to say that he hopes everyone will “stand with Sam.”
When asked how he would handle a teammate calling him a name, he stated, plainly, “We would have a conversation.”
Sam is doing something that has never been done. He’s going through the pre-draft process as an openly gay player. So, does he feel like he’s a trailblazer?
“Do I feel like a trailblazer? I feel like Michael Sam,” he said.
Eventually, the questions moved to his ability as a football player. One member of the media asked if Sam feels that he’s an inconstant player. Sam’s response was perfect.
“Winning is hard, buddy.”
It was the perfect ending to a perfect showing. Michael Sam just owned his moment.