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Are NFL teams allowed to discriminate?
Posted on 2/10/14 at 12:39 am
Posted on 2/10/14 at 12:39 am
I think what Michael Sam did was very brave and respectful. I wish the guy a long and prosperous NFL career. The kid is a hell of an athlete. In a hypothetical situation, if all 32 franchises decided to not draft him (Hopefully this would never happen) because he is gay, would it be a legal matter? Would it be like deciding to not draft a guy because of personal problems. What he did was very honorable. I know this is a touchy subject, but I was thinking about this. What would the protocol be?
Props to Micheal
Props to Micheal
This post was edited on 2/10/14 at 12:40 am
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Posted on 2/10/14 at 12:42 am to pivey14
Which team would he sue?
Posted on 2/10/14 at 12:44 am to pivey14
Why are people celebrating Sam being gay as if its something to be proud of?
No one cares if you like to take it up the butt or swallow swords. Keep you personal preferences to yourself and play football.
No one cares if you like to take it up the butt or swallow swords. Keep you personal preferences to yourself and play football.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 12:47 am to pivey14
He probably should have waited until he was drafted.
He better be damn good though, because no pro team will put up with a media circus for a mediocre player.
He better be damn good though, because no pro team will put up with a media circus for a mediocre player.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 12:57 am to pivey14
Are you serious? No it wouldn't be a legal matter. You can't force a team to draft a kid.
If a team doesn't want the kid because he's gay, they shouldn't have to take him. It's their team, they can do what they want with it. If you want to be a homophobe, you have the right to be.
If the media didn't blow this out of proportion, this wouldn't even be an issue with most NFL owners.
If a team doesn't want the kid because he's gay, they shouldn't have to take him. It's their team, they can do what they want with it. If you want to be a homophobe, you have the right to be.
If the media didn't blow this out of proportion, this wouldn't even be an issue with most NFL owners.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 1:39 am to pivey14
No, he could not sue. He couldnt prove that they refused to draft him because he is gay and even if he could, accommodation laws dont apply to the NFL and there are no NFL by-laws prohibiting teams from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation (only race).
That being said, he'll get drafted.
That being said, he'll get drafted.
This post was edited on 2/10/14 at 1:41 am
Posted on 2/10/14 at 1:50 am to pivey14
How would anyone know if it was bc he was gay? And if he wasn't drafted then it's because he wasn't good enough.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 2:55 am to pivey14
If the dude can play, it won't matter.
It seems like the NFL players "police" these locker room issues on their own. He may be treated rather rudely by some of his teammates but I highly doubt the coaches or ownership give a rip about his sexuality.
Bottom line is no the NFL can not act to discriminate based on any prejudice of religion or sexual preference, so if the dude knocks heads on the field it won't matter what he knocks off the field.
It seems like the NFL players "police" these locker room issues on their own. He may be treated rather rudely by some of his teammates but I highly doubt the coaches or ownership give a rip about his sexuality.
Bottom line is no the NFL can not act to discriminate based on any prejudice of religion or sexual preference, so if the dude knocks heads on the field it won't matter what he knocks off the field.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 4:55 am to pivey14
It is always amazing how people on here speak in such certain terms even when they're wrong and clearly have no basis for what they're saying.
Obviously such a legal case by Michael Sam would be the first of its kind regarding sexual preference. However, he could pursue a collusion suit against the NFL.
Who knows if it would be successful, but the NFL bargaining agreement prevents either side from colluding. The entire league deciding not to draft one player would give rise to a claim for collusion.
Obviously such a legal case by Michael Sam would be the first of its kind regarding sexual preference. However, he could pursue a collusion suit against the NFL.
Who knows if it would be successful, but the NFL bargaining agreement prevents either side from colluding. The entire league deciding not to draft one player would give rise to a claim for collusion.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 6:10 am to pivey14
quote:
if all 32 franchises decided to not draft him (Hopefully this will happen)
Fixed it for ya.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 8:07 am to pivey14
He'll get drafted because he's a good player. He might not be drafted in the 1st or 2nd round but he'll get drafted. Hope the Chiefs get him. I might not agree with his lifestyle but I love the way he plays.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 9:19 am to pivey14
It's gotten so trendy as F to come out. Even the radio heads this morning were saying he was "so so brave" - wtf 
Just play damn football. Who gives a shite if you are gay or not.
Just play damn football. Who gives a shite if you are gay or not.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 9:56 am to pivey14
Gay or not, he's still a damn good football player. Much respect for him being honest enough to let that out. Who knows what would've happened if a team would've drafted him and "Found Out" instead of him telling them.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 10:22 am to pivey14
Was Michael Sam invited to the NFL combine? I bet the interview process there will be interesting. I suspect that some GM's and coaches wouldnt draft him just because it will be a media circus and possibly disruptive. Like Tebow.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 10:38 am to pivey14
Title VII and the ADEA and employment statutes like that may not apply to the NFL, but I'm guessing he could still sue under the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution. He probably wouldn't be able to prove discriminatory intent most likely, but he would most likely be the only SEC defensive player of the year never drafted. Coincidentally, he's the only openly gay player. Doesn't look good for NFL.
Doesn't matter, he will be drafted in the 2nd round.
Doesn't matter, he will be drafted in the 2nd round.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 11:30 am to pivey14
If you wanna be gay that's fine, be gay, it's a free country, you have a right to be.
But not everybody on the planet is required to celebrate every single aspect of your life.
Some people might not like it, that's their right.
But not everybody on the planet is required to celebrate every single aspect of your life.
Some people might not like it, that's their right.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 11:53 am to pivey14
Nobody can force any team to draft him or to offer him a contract (just as the NFL can only "encourage" teams to hire black coaches, but cannot force them to).
But I have faith that there are enough enlightened GMs and owners in the NFL to ensure that one of them will give him a shot.
The 49ers come to mind....
But I have faith that there are enough enlightened GMs and owners in the NFL to ensure that one of them will give him a shot.
The 49ers come to mind....
Posted on 2/10/14 at 12:17 pm to pivey14
For all those saying that he should have kept it to himself, you should know that the only reason he came out was to avoid being publicly outed by his teammates. This is one of the rare occasions where I feel that he did not do this solely for publicity.
Posted on 2/10/14 at 12:22 pm to pivey14
I can't imagine him not being drafted. If he can help a team win he will be drafted. Wins = successful francise = money, and money will overcome any prejudice. Its pretty lame that this is even a topic of discussion
Posted on 2/10/14 at 12:29 pm to pivey14
I would think it would be dumb for them not to but there is no legal case
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