Michael Sam has been the center of attention this past year as football fans and professionals alike have been discussing everything from his NFL draft experience to his coming out story to his recent cut from the Dallas Cowboys. But one of Sam’s previous supporters, Deion Sanders, recently came under fire over some questionable comments about the openly gay player.
During a recent interview with Larry King, Sanders spoke about Sam’s sexuality and he, surprisingly, seemed to disapprove of Sam being gay.
“I’m not saying I condone it, but I don’t condemn it,” Sanders said, “I don’t love what he do [sic], but I love him as a man. And I just wanted him to understand the burden and the weight he’s carrying.”
When King asked Sanders if he thought being gay was a choice, Sanders replied, “it could be.”
And when King questioned why anyone would choose to be gay, considering the world’s rampant homophobia, Sanders replied, “who wouldn’t?”
Further explaining, Sanders said, “The God I know don’t [sic] make mistakes.”
It’s quite the confusing statement considering Sanders seems to think there are no natural mistakes when it comes to human life, but on the flip side he doesn’t necessarily think homosexuality is right.
Sanders clearly comes from the older generation’s mindset on sexuality, but thankfully, and despite the NFL cuts Sam has endured, he and his many supporters are showing that the world’s opinion of the gay community is shifting from one of misinformation and bias to one of equality and openness. –nicholas robinson
