Tony Dungy tries to explain the comment that he wouldn’t have drafted gay football player Michael Sam. Following an uproar caused by this controversial statement made to the Tampa Bay Tribune, Tony Dungy seeks to clarify what he meant.
Given Dungy’s experience in the NFL and the media, it’s hard to believe that he was “quite surprised” that his remarks about Michael Sam stirred such controversy. While he clarified that Michael Sam’s sexual orientation was not the “distraction” he was referring to in his original comment, he did reiterate that “the media attention that comes with it” would be a distraction, and he was sorry that his comments added to the distraction.
Additionally, Tony Dungy stated:
“I was not asked whether his sexual orientation should play a part in the evaluation process. It should not. I was not asked whether I would have a problem having Michael Sam on my team. I would not.”
I find this statement a bit strange…by strange…I mean what reporter would have asked whether Micheal Sam’s sexual orientation should play a part in the evaluation process because that question in itself is offensive. The fact that Tony Dungy used this phrase to explain his original comment makes me think he would have a problem with a gay football player on his team.
Maybe Tony Dungy should have enough courage to stand up for what he believes. If he wouldn’t want an openly gay football player on his team, then he should say it and stand by it.
