
The entire LGBT community longed for him to be successful
with the Rams. He was literally going to
“change the game” as it relates to same-gender loving folks. We needed him to play not just well, but
exceptionally well. We were ready to
hold him up as an example for what all LGBT athletes could do – live your life
authentically and honestly and still be able to make it as a professional in
whatever sport you chose.
And then he was cut from the Rams. You could almost hear the collective gasp
from the gay community. And then came
the announcement that he would be playing with the Montreal Alouettes in the
Canadian Football League. Though it’s
not the NFL, we were still excited just to hear that he would still be playing
the sport he loved. And then we heard
that he would be leaving the league and the reason cited was “concerns with his
mental health.”
Although he may not be playing professionally anymore, I was
still excited to meet the man that wanted to live his life authentically. I know many that attended the event were
there for the same reason as me. They
wanted to meet the man that told his truth.
I assumed Sam would be kept out of sight until it was time
for him to take the stage. However,
early in the evening, during the silent auction, he made his entrance. He marched into the room with a smile and
charm that made him easily approachable.
Everyone’s cell phones came out and there were selfies abound. You could tell Sam did not mind the
attention. He took time to greet
everyone with firm hand shakes, hugs, kisses on the cheek, and for several
ladies - the distinguished kiss to the back of the hand.
When he eventually took the stage, he shared a very powerful
story about his youth. He grew up as
part of a very big family. He talked
about how most of his siblings did NOT like him. He was either picked on or totally ignored by
most of his family. He grew up not
feeling at home in his own home. Most of
brothers had a reputation for being rowdy and for constantly being in trouble. When many in his hometown saw him and his
siblings, it was commonplace for them to hear, “there goes those damn Sams!” For others in his family that wore this like
a badge of honor, but for Michael, it was a source of embarrassment.
Michael talked candidly about his upbringing, about that
night of the draft and that infamous kiss, and about living his life as an out
gay man playing professional football.
He has quite the story to tell, even though his time on the field was short lived.
I’m a black gay man and I sit in awe at other black men that
pursue their passions while living their lives out and proud. So my night with Michael Sam was
exceptional. I thanked him for his honesty. We hugged.
I noticed how nice he smelled.
And then I enjoyed an evening of great food, fun music, and amazing
people. For me, this was my first HRC
Gala. Thanks to Michael Sam, it was a
night I won’t soon forget.
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