Former National Football League coach Tony Dungy stirred controversy after making a striking statement about Michael Sam, who became the first openly gay player to be selected in the NFL Draft when the St. Louis Rams picked him in the seventh round in May.
Dungy, who previously earned praises from the media for his opinion on certain issues, is on the hot seat after saying that he would not have drafted Sam if he was still coaching in the NFL to avoid creating distraction inside the locker room.
"I wouldn't have taken him," Dungy told the Tampa Tribune. "Not because I don't believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play, but I wouldn't want to deal with all of it. It's not going to be totally smooth ... things will happen."
Dungy's remark created headlines with most reports indicating that the statement came as a surprise, considering the 58-year-old coach's previous work and remarks about unfair treatment.
It is worth noting that Dungy took Michael Vick under his guidance after the current New York Jets quarterback served 18 months in prison for his involvement in dog-fighting case.
When no team was calling about signing Vick because of fears that he could create distraction to a team, Dungy lobbied for him, which led to Vick's eventual comeback in the league.
Will Brinson of CBS Sports criticized Dungy for his remarks, saying that the NFL icon should have been one of the personalities to feel happy for Sam, considering the fact that he battled for fair treatment before.
"There are many reasons for not drafting a player. But hearing 'things will happen' from a pioneer of the NFL is a shame, regardless of where you stand on Michael Sam," Brinson said of Sam, who experienced racial abuse before and even wrote the foreword of the book 'Equal Coaching Opportunity in the NFL.'
Michael David of NBC Sports also blasted Dungy, reiterating that being gay should not prevent NFL teams from selecting a player, especially a player like Sam, who could become a decent player in the league.
"Dungy may be right when he says "things will happen" because the Rams have an openly gay player on their roster, but those things aren't Sam's fault. And those things shouldn't prevent any NFL team from drafting an openly gay player," David wrote.
The controversial comment also came as a surprise, considering the fact that Dungy was one of the firsts to express support to Sam when he admitted that he was gay. Dungy said that NFL teams should base their decision on talent and possible contributions to the team, and not on sexual orientation.
"The NFL has always been based on merit, and I think that will continue to be the case with Michael Sam and the issue homosexuality or anything else. Guys who produce and play well will be welcomed into the league," Dungy previously said as reported by Yahoo Sports.
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