Althouse: "NFL executives, you see, are 'architects'... coolly calculating what is in the best interests of his organization."

September 2, 2014

"NFL executives, you see, are 'architects'... coolly calculating what is in the best interests of his organization."

"An architect is solemn, constructing something built to last that is of value to a community. Irrationalities like 'prejudice' and 'gay panic' never enter the thought process, not when you are building the football equivalent of the new wing at the Guggenheim. Michael Sam, meanwhile, and the media who care about his journey constitute a 'circus.' What could possibly be less serious and more frivolous than a circus? For that matter what could possibly be less 'manly' than a circus? A drag show, perhaps?"

Writes Dave Zirin in The Nation.

Yes, what is less manly than a circus?

Any words you use may be used against you.

56 comments:

Original Mike said...: Ick. I just clicked on The Nation.

Seems to me, the fact that the Rams haven't signed him to their practice squad belies the claim that he had a "terrific preseason".; 9/2/14, 2:20 PM
Michael Fitzgerald said...: What is less manly than a circus? Monty Python's Flying Circus- A group of gay and effeminate British comedians doing drag. Men men men men, Men men men men...; 9/2/14, 2:24 PM
chickelit said...: Yes, what is less manly than a circus?

Richthofen's Flying Circus was pretty manly.; 9/2/14, 2:24 PM
exhelodrvr1 said...: Bloody Vikings!; 9/2/14, 2:25 PM
Birkel said...: Q: Less manly than a circus?

A: Clowns.; 9/2/14, 2:31 PM
MayBee said...: If he can do a good play-by-play, I bet ESPN would love to hire him.

I wonder how much the reality show bit hurt him.; 9/2/14, 2:32 PM
Birkel said...: Canadian Football, eh.; 9/2/14, 2:33 PM
exhelodrvr1 said...: Tan suits?; 9/2/14, 2:35 PM
Birkel said...: Buff suits?; 9/2/14, 2:37 PM
Humperdink said...: Amusing article. Sam was not picked up because other GM's did not want the circus. OK, let me give it a shot.

Let's see. On draft day, the media called the circus into the big top.

During the preseason, the media presented Sam's heroics, although average, in the center ring on daily basis.

Then as a side show, ESPN gave details regarding Sam's locker room showering schedule.

Who wouldn't this guy on their roster?; 9/2/14, 2:37 PM
rehajm said...: ...not when you are building the football equivalent of the new wing at the Guggenheim

Translating sports into concepts lefties can understand. How valuable.; 9/2/14, 2:48 PM
Anonymous said...: Gay panic?

I think what we're seeing is panic that the public isn't sufficiently interested in what this little minority is up to anymore. Is that "gay panic"?; 9/2/14, 2:57 PM
Anonymous said...: For a couple of minutes, everyone was really energized about concussions in the NFL. Are we going to see convergence? An article about how it's actually homophobic to let Sam play, because he could get concussed?; 9/2/14, 2:59 PM
jacksonjay said...: Who wouldn't this guy on their roster?

I am shocked that Jerry Jones didn't snatch him up immediately. Apparently, he is still fuming about missing out on Johnny Football. Jerry loves a distraction.; 9/2/14, 3:00 PM
fivewheels said...: If you write that a player "proved" himself in preseason, vaguely citing stats, you know nothing abo0ut the NFL and how teams approach the preseason. The cut lists are filled with players who were among the leaders on their teams in preseason stats, because players who are on the bubble can be the ones who get the closest look in games that don't count, as well as the most action in garbage time.

But I bet you get a nice frisson of moral superiority from your armchair accusation of homophobia, and approving retweets from all kinds of people who have no interest in or knowledge of the NFL.

I don't know how good Sam is, I wasn't there. His measurables weren't ideal. But letting him go might be a mistake. Teams are proven wrong all the time, it's not an exact science. Pretending you know for sure how good he is, however, is stupid.; 9/2/14, 3:00 PM
Anthony said...: Sort of OT, but I've often wondered whether there might not be a "backlash" of sorts on the part of straight men as to the showering issue as sort of a Rules for Radical approach, vis a vis, make them live by their own rules. Women (feminazis anyway) are constantly complaining about feeling "uncomfortable" when icky men are around, such as demanding women-only gyms, hours, etc. I kind of expect to see some straight men filing lawsuits demanding that gay men have separate shower facilities so they (we, I guess) aren't made to feel "uncomfortable". That should really cause some liberal head to explode.

Although maybe not, they tend to be able to maintain hundreds of contradictory positions all the time.

Anyway, Sam was a mediocre player who would never have gotten any attention had he not been one of the officially licensed Victim Groups. I note that all the super duper expert football talking heads (e.g., Paul Finebaum) had no difficulty spouting off about what an awful player Tim Tebow was, but dared not say anything even remotely non-positive about Sam. Hey, they're just doing "analysis" I guess.; 9/2/14, 3:07 PM
n.n said...: Tolerance, not normalization. While Sam is a victim of selective advocacy and activism, it was his own marginal skill which ensured that other athletes would have first opportunity. Professional athletics is a minority, not "minority", career.; 9/2/14, 3:09 PM
Humperdink said...: jacksonjay. Johnny Football would sell tickets. Michael Sam? Not so much.; 9/2/14, 3:14 PM
garage mahal said...: Sam was openly gay his senior year and his team went 12-2 and won their bowl game. Some distraction.; 9/2/14, 3:15 PM
Humperdink said...: At least one NFL player has blamed ESPN for Sam's lack of opportunities for a NFL practice squad elsewhere.

"(Buffalo) Bills center Eric Wood says teams are avoiding Sam because they don’t want the ESPN hype that would come with having Sam, the only openly gay player in football, on the team. In response to a question from Ross Tucker about Sam’s lack of practice squad offers, Wood said ESPN is to blame."; 9/2/14, 3:16 PM
Humperdink said...: @Garage per wiki: "After completing his college football career, Sam publicly came out as gay."; 9/2/14, 3:21 PM
jameswhy said...: Part of the ongoing war on football. Guy on PBS last nite said our love of football indicates our warlike culture, unlike the good ole days when we loved the peaceful game of baseball (Ty Cobb's spikes-up slides to the contrary). So football is too warlike, everyone who plays it gets concussed and turns into a blithering idiot and now it's anti-gay.

Got the message yet??; 9/2/14, 3:22 PM
Doug said...: n.n. and Anthony referred to Michael Sam as "mediocre" and a "marginal talent"; I don't think this is true. Sam, like Tebow, was a very good college football player. Sam was named Defensive Player of the year in the SEC, the premier conference in college football. He excelled against the very best teams.

And he will not be the first or last very good college player whose skills do not convey to the NFL. Trust me, NFL execs and coaches know the difference, and they don't discriminate on the basis of anything other than that which will help them win games.

My sense is that Sam would have a roster spot if his talents weren't considerably limited in the NFL.

The media - I am looking right at you, ESPN - bears the responsibility for building Michael Sam up, and for making his tumble all the more humiliating. As for the rest of the gay-championing media who are going to wring every last drop of drama and conflict out of this - f*** 'em. Not buying what they're selling.; 9/2/14, 3:24 PM
Brian McKim and/or Traci Skene said...: I'm guessing that men who travel (or traveled) in the circus caught more tail than Sinatra. (If that's your definition of manly.); 9/2/14, 3:28 PM
sbb said...: Michael Sam is not as fast/strong as the NFL players that play his position. He has a certain amount of "hand-fighting" skill that allowed him to have some successful plays against NFL 2-3 stringers.

However, he did not play on any of the Ram's special team squads - presumably because of his lack of speed. You cannot make an NFL roster if you can't be a special teams player.

That is why Sam won't be on an NFL roster - because he cannot play special teams, not because he's gay or because of the media circus.; 9/2/14, 3:28 PM
Birches said...: If you write that a player "proved" himself in preseason, vaguely citing stats, you know nothing about the NFL and how teams approach the preseason. The cut lists are filled with players who were among the leaders on their teams in preseason stats, because players who are on the bubble can be the ones who get the closest look in games that don't count, as well as the most action in garbage time.

This. This. This. The Nation article is also Exhibit One why teams won't sign Sam. Because a bunch of knownothings are suddenly talking about football like they're knowledgeable and if your team crosses them, the narrative has been set.

Distractions are only tolerated when they produce. Richard Sherman will not be tolerated in five years, just as TO was cast aside when his distraction weighed heavier than his production. Sam's level of distraction (because of ESPN and The Nation) will always outweigh his talent, because he's just not a Richard Sherman talent.; 9/2/14, 3:29 PM
Larry J said...: IIRC, Sam was the SEC's defensive player of the year. Assuming for the moment that he really earned that title*, you would think he'd have what it takes to make it in the NFL. His coming out may well have been a factor on why all the other teams passed on drafting him and why he was (IIRC) a 7th round pick for the Rams. However, if he'd been able to play at a high enough level, I doubt he would've been cut. The NFL is a multi-billion dollar operation and some teams are valued at more than a billion dollars. There's very big money at stake and winning is the only thing that really matters. If they thought he could help their team win, he would've had a job. Apparently, he wasn't good enough. A lot of good, solid college players don't make it in the NFL. He may be another one.

*By that, I mean that he really was that good in college and that the award wasn't given to him because he is gay.; 9/2/14, 3:36 PM
traditionalguy said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 9/2/14, 3:38 PM
traditionalguy said...: Homosexual Football has a certain ring to it. It is modern.

But the old NFL is still very testosterone based. J.J. Watt stood out while a freshman and sophomore Wisconsin player. He played uber aggressive. Testosterone with with a smile. Now the NFL says that is a 100 million dollar man style.

Maybe Nice Sam can try out to be a placekicker?; 9/2/14, 3:38 PM
Anonymous said...: The surprise isn't that this one football player is gay, the surprise is that all the other players aren't.

Seriously, could there be any more queer of a sport than football, with all those tight pants, men jumping on top of each other, and all that butt slapping and hugging after a win? Not that there is anything wrong with that of course.; 9/2/14, 3:45 PM
averagejoe said...: Doug said...
Sam was named Defensive Player of the year in the SEC, the premier conference in college football. He excelled against the very best teams.

Sam was named DPOY of the SEC, but one argument against him was that he did not excel against the very best teams. He built most of his stats, sacks and tackles, in 3 games against the weakest teams they played.; 9/2/14, 3:51 PM
averagejoe said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 9/2/14, 3:51 PM
Humperdink said...: I think the true test will be next year on draft day. I suspect "don't ask, don't tell" will be the order of the day.

Or to put it another way, don't stand on a soapbox shout your sexuality. I don't care. I am more interested in your combine performance.; 9/2/14, 3:53 PM
traditionalguy said...: Football is war. Players develop friendships among unit members much like men who fight wars do.

That is why it's OK to be a gay man if you go to war with the team. No one cares how you have sex.

But football is not a gay love. It is a trust and loyalty among brothers love.

Amateur wrestling which is far more intimate than football tackles attracts no gay men.; 9/2/14, 3:54 PM
mccullough said...: Another SEC player who didn't make it in the NFL.; 9/2/14, 4:10 PM
Unknown said...: What perturbs me is the inordinate focus on issues that affect 3-5% of the population. It's not that their cause is not just or that their suffering is not real. It's that the disproportional attention devoted to their cause sucks the air out of the arena for discussions of other problems.; 9/2/14, 4:14 PM
Original Mike said...: "However, he did not play on any of the Ram's special team squads - presumably because of his lack of speed. You cannot make an NFL roster if you can't be a special teams player."

True. You hear that all the time in the preseason when bubble players are being discussed. You have to contribute on special teams to make the team.; 9/2/14, 4:18 PM
garage mahal said...: Sounds like the Cowboys are going to sign Sam.; 9/2/14, 4:25 PM
mccullough said...: The Cowboys have the worst defense in the league.; 9/2/14, 4:36 PM
285exp said...: If he hadn't come out as gay, nobody would be talking about a seventh round draft choice not making the team and not being picked up by another club off waivers. He was not projected as a high draft choice before he came out, and I suspect that St Louis took him because he went to Missouri and not because they thought he would make the team. It was not a position of need for them, so it appears it was mostly a PR pick anyway.

And he didn't do himself any favors with the proposed Oprah Winfrey reality show or the famous tv draft day kiss. If he just wanted to be treated as another football player he should have acted that way. The media didn't do him any favors by having the cameras in his house to capture the magic moment.; 9/2/14, 4:42 PM
SteveR said...: The NFL is prejudiced against slow people.; 9/2/14, 4:46 PM
Anonymous said...: I saw him play a few games at Mizzou, and he clearly wasn't the best DE in the league. Hell, he clearly wasn't the best DE on his team. (That was Kony Ealy, who signed a $3.5M deal).; 9/2/14, 4:54 PM
Anthony said...: .n. and Anthony referred to Michael Sam as "mediocre" and a "marginal talent"; I don't think this is true. Sam, like Tebow, was a very good college football player. Sam was named Defensive Player of the year in the SEC, the premier conference in college football. He excelled against the very best teams.

Well, in my/our defense, I was referring to his NFL skill set, which I based on pre-coming out assessments. I think he was a decent, but certainly not exceptional, college player. Many Heismann winners (cf., Tebow) don't translate to the NFL (very few do, I think).

WRT Tebow vs. Sam, you can assess them both the same way: Good/great college player, mediocre at the pro level. What irritates me is the ease with which the talking heads feel free to rip on Tebow while trying to build up Sam as something exceptional.; 9/2/14, 6:01 PM
Chris Lopes said...: "Sam was openly gay his senior year and his team went 12-2 and won their bowl game. Some distraction."

Lots of home town heroes never make it in the NFL, even after good college careers. You have to remember that this is the big leagues where only the best of the best of the best get to play.; 9/2/14, 6:06 PM
jacksonjay said...: Humperdink,

You are right, Manziel would sell tickets. But Jerry doesn't really need to sell tickets. The Cowboys have led the league in attendance for the last 5 years with the highest ticket prices and a bad team. The Cowboys are religion here!

He wanted Johnny because Johnny is a carbon-copy of Jerry. Reckless, risk-taking, cocky and a winner. Jerry loves the limelight more than he loves money. He wants to win on his own terms.

The theory here is that Jerry is doing the league a favor by bring Sam in for a physical and possibly the practice squad. The D-line here is a mess and if he can't help them, what does that say about Sam. They cut the leading tackler from the preseason, Ahmad Dixson, and the Cowboys have the worst defense in NFL history, so.....; 9/2/14, 6:39 PM
Humperdink said...: jacksonjay. You are correct the Cowboys always sell out. But Jones was looking the jersey sales and Johnny Football would sell some serious jerseys (his own).

Very good article on Jerry Jones.

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11420510/dallas-cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-wants-known-football-man; 9/2/14, 6:56 PM
Anonymous said...: Forget it, Jake, it's The Nation.; 9/2/14, 7:14 PM
Drago said...: garage mahal: "Sounds like the Cowboys are going to sign Sam."

Possibly sign him.

To their practice squad.

The Cowboys look terrible right now and there are so many glaring gaps in their talent level it's hard to believe that Sam is the answer to any of their issues.

Michael Sam Can't play special teams, can't play NFL linebacker (a necessity given his lack of size and strength), only fits half the leagues teams defensive schemes, etc.

Sam was never/is never going to rise above a number 7 or 8 DLineman at best. He's just not a good fit for most teams and he brings nothing "NFL" special to the table.; 9/2/14, 7:53 PM
richard mcenroe said...: Michael — Do you have any men without Spam?; 9/2/14, 8:08 PM
garage mahal said...: Lots of home town heroes never make it in the NFL, even after good college careers. You have to remember that this is the big leagues where only the best of the best of the best get to play.

I wasn't arguing that Sam should have made the team. Not sure how you argue any 7th round pick is entitled to a roster spot.; 9/2/14, 8:37 PM
fivewheels said...: Sam was out to his teammates last season, but he was not out publicly.; 9/2/14, 8:41 PM
Humperdink said...: Hence the circus did not come to town.; 9/2/14, 8:50 PM
chillblaine said...: "Any words you use may be used against you." Have I just been Mirandized? Althouse really is the law east of the Pecos.

I'm glad this wasn't homophobia. The Justice Department might have had to send a rapid response team. Nope, just old-fashioned circus phobia, with a little clown phobia thrown in.; 9/2/14, 9:33 PM
William said...: I just hope this kind of prissy morality doesn't spread to wife beaters and puppy killers.; 9/2/14, 10:04 PM
virgil xenophon said...: The Heisman Trophy winner in 1962, Terry Baker, QB of Oregon and a PC pick who was jack of all trades and master of none, got offered SQUAT in the NFL and never played a nano-second on any practice squad, EVER. The Heisman runner-up, Jerry Stovall, running back at LSU, became a perennial All-Pro defensive back with the St. Louis football Cardinals..; 9/2/14, 10:24 PM
Shawn Levasseur said...: Fodder for the "Circus" analogies:

Monday night, the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), invited Sam to be on next Monday's RAW, and be given the microphone to speak about his time so far in the NFL.

I have no idea if Sam has accepted, or has any intention of doing so.

The WWE has an openly gay man on their roster, Darren Young. To my knowledge the WWE hasn't publicized it or integrated this with his on-screen character.

Young has been injured since April, and based on reports, was expected to be off for about six months. If his rehab went well, he could be ready to come back to the active roster, and this may all be just a means of giving Young a bit of publicity by latching onto the Sam story.; 9/2/14, 11:04 PM