All things offseason discussion part II

[skinsguy]

I think some of you guys are being absolutely ridiculous. Tony Dungy elaborates on his comments made on Monday:

Tony Dungy Elaborates on his remark about Michael Sam

"The best players make the team, and everyone should get the opportunity to prove whether they’re good enough to play. That’s my opinion as a coach. But those were not the questions I was asked. What I was asked about was my philosophy of drafting, a philosophy that was developed over the years, which was to minimize distractions for my teams.

I do not believe Michael’s sexual orientation will be a distraction to his teammates or his organization.

I do, however, believe that the media attention that comes with it will be a distraction. Unfortunately we are all seeing this play out now, and I feel badly that my remarks played a role in the distraction."


And this was the comment I was about the make until I saw the statement. Some of you guys were very quick to judge Tony Dungy.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

I think some of you guys are being absolutely ridiculous. Tony Dungy elaborates on his comments made on Monday:

Tony Dungy Elaborates on his remark about Michael Sam

"The best players make the team, and everyone should get the opportunity to prove whether they’re good enough to play. That’s my opinion as a coach. But those were not the questions I was asked. What I was asked about was my philosophy of drafting, a philosophy that was developed over the years, which was to minimize distractions for my teams.

I do not believe Michael’s sexual orientation will be a distraction to his teammates or his organization.

I do, however, believe that the media attention that comes with it will be a distraction. Unfortunately we are all seeing this play out now, and I feel badly that my remarks played a role in the distraction."


And this was the comment I was about the make until I saw the statement. Some of you guys were very quick to judge Tony Dungy.

I read the same thing, it does not alter the fact that Dungy is saying "I wouldn't draft him b/c the distraction his sexual orientation causes." If Dungy became coach of the Rams tomorrow(hypothetically), would it be acceptable for him to cut Sam b/c Sam's sexual orientation "will be a distraction" due to the "the media attention that comes with it"?

I understand Dungy's statement and accept his sentiment. I do not believe he has any ill-will. ("Hey, gay people are some of my best friends"). However, it does not change the fact that he is ultimately making a roster decision about Sam (i.e. denying Sam the opportunity for employment) based on Sam's sexual orientation.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

I think some of you guys are being absolutely ridiculous. Tony Dungy elaborates on his comments made on Monday:

Tony Dungy Elaborates on his remark about Michael Sam

"The best players make the team, and everyone should get the opportunity to prove whether they’re good enough to play. That’s my opinion as a coach. But those were not the questions I was asked. What I was asked about was my philosophy of drafting, a philosophy that was developed over the years, which was to minimize distractions for my teams.

I do not believe Michael’s sexual orientation will be a distraction to his teammates or his organization.

I do, however, believe that the media attention that comes with it will be a distraction. Unfortunately we are all seeing this play out now, and I feel badly that my remarks played a role in the distraction."


And this was the comment I was about the make until I saw the statement. Some of you guys were very quick to judge Tony Dungy.

Not changing my opinion. Here's a guy who preaches giving everyone a chance, who calls teams on behalf of players to get them second, third, fourth chances even when they are known "distractions" but it's too much for him to handle? Maybe it is, maybe that's why he's sitting in a studio on Sunday nights now

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Not changing my opinion. Here's a guy who preaches giving everyone a chance, who calls teams on behalf of players to get them second, third, fourth chances even when they are known "distractions" but it's too much for him to handle? Maybe it is, maybe that's why he's sitting in a studio on Sunday nights now

Hiyoooo!

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Not changing my opinion. Here's a guy who preaches giving everyone a chance, who calls teams on behalf of players to get them second, third, fourth chances even when they are known "distractions" but it's too much for him to handle? Maybe it is, maybe that's why he's sitting in a studio on Sunday nights now

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

(logically speaking that is.)

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Not changing my opinion. Here's a guy who preaches giving everyone a chance, who calls teams on behalf of players to get them second, third, fourth chances even when they are known "distractions" but it's too much for him to handle? Maybe it is, maybe that's why he's sitting in a studio on Sunday nights now

What, exactly, are the other known distractions that Tony Dungy has allowed on his team? I can't name any right off the top of my head. You have a player who had signed a deal with the Opera Network to have a reality TV show which will follow him around during his first year as a pro. Just him, not the whole team. All because of his sexuality. I can see how this would be a distraction for not only the team, but Sam himself. This is much different from Hard Knocks. Look, my take on it is, if his sexuality is not a big deal, why is Michael Sam making it a big deal? Better yet, why is the media making it such a big deal? If it truly was one of these, "Oh, your gay, that's cool...go on about my business" sort of deal, then I see the point against what Dungy said. Even I said I thought he sounded a bit hypocritical. But at the same time, everybody associated with Michael Sam, himself, Opera, the media - they're all treating it like it's a big deal. And that is where the distraction comes in. How many times did I have to hear, during the draft, about which team is going to make the "historic" draft pick of a gay player? Honestly, I think it's a bit hypocritical to for people to say that gay players should be treated like any other player entering the NFL draft, yet they celebrate such a "historic" event. Can't have it both ways.

As a coach, you can temper other types of distractions, such as the situation with Vick, or if a player was involved in some off field legal manners. A coach can easily say, "Don't talk to the media about this stuff, say no comment, say you're focus is only on football, etc...." But obviously someone's sexuality is such a hyper sensitive subject that if a coach tells his gay player the same thing about his homosexuality, that coach is labeled homophobic and bigot because the player can't be "free" to express his sexuality. It's a whole different distraction. So I can see it from Dungy's point of view. Maybe he is homophobic. Who knows? Just find it quite hypocritical for people to give Tim Tebow such a hard time because he was so up front about his Christian faith, and then think it's great for Michael Sam to be out about his sexuality. Guarantee that if you have gotten tired of hearing about Tebow, it's going to be the same deal with Sam.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

What, exactly, are the other known distractions that Tony Dungy has allowed on his team? I can't name any right off the top of my head. You have a player who had signed a deal with the Opera Network to have a reality TV show which will follow him around during his first year as a pro. Just him, not the whole team. All because of his sexuality. I can see how this would be a distraction for not only the team, but Sam himself. This is much different from Hard Knocks. Look, my take on it is, if his sexuality is not a big deal, why is Michael Sam making it a big deal? Better yet, why is the media making it such a big deal? If it truly was one of these, "Oh, your gay, that's cool...go on about my business" sort of deal, then I see the point against what Dungy said. Even I said I thought he sounded a bit hypocritical. But at the same time, everybody associated with Michael Sam, himself, Opera, the media - they're all treating it like it's a big deal. And that is where the distraction comes in. How many times did I have to hear, during the draft, about which team is going to make the "historic" draft pick of a gay player? Honestly, I think it's a bit hypocritical to for people to say that gay players should be treated like any other player entering the NFL draft, yet they celebrate such a "historic" event. Can't have it both ways.

As a coach, you can temper other types of distractions, such as the situation with Vick, or if a player was involved in some off field legal manners. A coach can easily say, "Don't talk to the media about this stuff, say no comment, say you're focus is only on football, etc...." But obviously someone's sexuality is such a hyper sensitive subject that if a coach tells his gay player the same thing about his homosexuality, that coach is labeled homophobic and bigot because the player can't be "free" to express his sexuality. It's a whole different distraction. So I can see it from Dungy's point of view. Maybe he is homophobic. Who knows? Just find it quite hypocritical for people to give Tim Tebow such a hard time because he was so up front about his Christian faith, and then think it's great for Michael Sam to be out about his sexuality. Guarantee that if you have gotten tired of hearing about Tebow, it's going to be the same deal with Sam.

Michael Vick had a reality show too during his first year back with the NFL for what it's worth

Anyway, I think you and I just disagree on this and that's ok. I'm ready to move on to some actual football

Also, Opera Network...lol

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Michael Vick had a reality show too during his first year back with the NFL for what it's worth

Anyway, I think you and I just disagree on this and that's ok. I'm ready to move on to some actual football

Also, Opera Network...lol

Agreed! And I also LOL at the Opera Network!

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

Agreed! And I also LOL at the Opera Network!

There's an Opera Network?

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

There's an Opera Network?

Yep! She started it a year or so ago.

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

There's an Opera Network?

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

As a coach, you can temper other types of distractions, such as the situation with Vick, or if a player was involved in some off field legal manners. A coach can easily say, "Don't talk to the media about this stuff, say no comment, say you're focus is only on football, etc...." But obviously someone's sexuality is such a hyper sensitive subject that if a coach tells his gay player the same thing about his homosexuality, that coach is labeled homophobic and bigot because the player can't be "free" to express his sexuality. It's a whole different distraction. So I can see it from Dungy's point of view. Maybe he is homophobic. Who knows? Just find it quite hypocritical for people to give Tim Tebow such a hard time because he was so up front about his Christian faith, and then think it's great for Michael Sam to be out about his sexuality. Guarantee that if you have gotten tired of hearing about Tebow, it's going to be the same deal with Sam.

Using your Vick example, even if Dungy said to Vick "don't talk to the media", there's still going to be distractions brought on by that player. Vick may not say anything, but that's not going to stop PETA from protesting or the media from keep asking Vick and other players about Vick's situation. Sam can just as easily not make a comment about his personal life and sexual preference.

Tony Dungy is a religious guy so his comments (sadly) don't surprise me. But he's a public figure and has been a coach in the past, and he should know better about making these comments.