re: This whole Michael Sam gay-out could be a well crafted marketing ploy.

Yes, that's what I meant. And while I can see how a cynic might arrive at the conclusion you suggest, I don't believe that was the case. He never planned to hide it, and always planned to be up front prior to the draft with the teams that were interested in him. But he realized that a lot of people knew, and that some in the media were going to run with the story before he was ready. So, he announced it himself so he could tell his own story and get it out of the way. He gave 2 interviews, and said there will be no more. He said he just wants to focus on football.

So I don't think it's a marketing ploy. It's too risky. And he has no plans to become an activist, or start being a spokesman, or be grand Marshall of gay pride parades. He wants to play football.