A day after NFL coach-turned-NBC analyst Tony Dungy was criticized for saying he would not have drafted openly gay linebacker Michael Sam, he clarified his comments and provided context, The Chicago Tribune reported.
Dungy had initially said, "I wouldn't have taken him. 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 subsequently said that Sam deserves an opportunity to play in the NFL; however, his intial concern was with the media distraction that Sam's presence would cause as he tried to make the roster, not with the player's sexual orientation.
Sam responded, "Thank God he wasn't a St. Louis Rams coach," referring to the team that did draft him. "But I have great respect for Tony Dungy. Like everyone in America, everyone is entitled to their own opinions."