Pokey Chatman smiled when she heard about Michael Sam coming out in early February and, thus, possibly becoming the first openly gay player in one of the big four (baseball, basketball, football and hockey) male team sports.
Chatman also admitted she was surprised that, in 2014, there have been no others.
"I smiled, just in terms of him getting out in front of his story. And for that, I have mad respect for him," Chatman, the head coach and general manager for the Chicago Sky of the WNBA, told the Windy City Times in an exclusive interview on Feb. 18. "Football certainly is a man's man's sport and his coming-out is just one part of him … but it's a hot topic and it's going to continue to be."
Chatman was a standout player for the LSU Lady Tigers from 1987-91 who eventually became the school's head coach (2004-07), leading the Lady Tigers to three consecutive NCAA Final Fours in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
This is her third season coaching the Sky, and the 2013 run included Chicago's first-ever post-season appearance.
"I'm sure it wasn't all hunky-dory [for Sam], but to have the courage [to come out] speaks volumes about him, especially [coming out before the NFL Draft] since it might affect [his] draft status."
Elena Delle Donne, the 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year and an All-Star for the Sky, tagged Sam as "a brave man" and one who certainly can and will help other closeted athletes.
"I hope, if someone else is fighting the same [coming-out] demons, [Sam] will be someone who they can look up to, and then be able to come out also instead of having to hide [their sexual orientation]," Delle Donne said.
"In our league, [a gay player or one coming-out is] normal, not a conversation to be had," she added. "You can be who you are in our league and we do have a very supportive following [from the gay community]. We love all of our fans and the girls who play in the league—gay, straight, Black, white, whatever. Hopefully our society will be that way, too, at some point.
"I'm sure it was a tough decision for Michael, and I obviously support him, as I'm sure our whole league would support him. We're proud of him."
Delle Donne played, and started, all 30 regular-season and both playoff games for the Sky in 2013. She averaged 18 points and five rebounds, highlighted by a 32-point game last August against Minnesota. She grabbed 12 rebounds in a July game against Seattle.
Delle Donne led all players in votes for the 2013 WNBA All-Star Game, the first time a rookie has done so in league history. She missed the game, however, due to a concussion.
"I feel he'll be accepted [in the NFL] because, first of all, he's a phenomenal football player—and that's what he's going to bring to his team, great football," Delle Donne said. "And that's what it's all about in the long run.
"If anyone shuns him [because he's gay], I think they are going to be the ones who get the backlash, not him."
Chatman spent six seasons coaching in Russia, and this actually is her first winter not in Moscow.
Chatman said she never experienced any animosity in Russia to gay people and, yes, there were gay players on her teams, she said. "I don't know if it was because we were involved in sports, or the vastness that is Russia, or what," she said.
Chatman coached Seimone Augustus, an open lesbian, in Russia—and Augustus' partner was present, too.
"I never thought they felt afraid or tried to hide anything," Chatman said.
Chatman said it was "so disappointing," to hear about the anti-gay propaganda laws implemented in Russia last summer "because I had been there for so long — and there never were any issues."
Hearing about the anti-gay propaganda laws, Chatman said her first reaction was, "Really?!?!" I felt like I was going back [in time] 50 years."
Chatman said she has seen some of the horrific anti-gay videos posted online from Russia, and she's "speechless" to the violence. "We've made so much progress in so many areas, but, wow, we've been relegated to this. It's disheartening," to watch, she said.
The Sky season-opener is Friday, May 16, when Chicago plays host to Indiana at the Allstate Arena in suburban Rosemont. The WNBA regular-season runs through mid-August.
The Sky announced on Feb. 18 that the team will host the first-ever WNBA preseason game in the state of Delaware. The Sky will battle the Washington Mystics on Tuesday, May 13, at the University of Delaware—Delle Donne's alma mater.
"We're thrilled to welcome back Elena and her new team, the Chicago Sky, to the BOB this coming May," University of Delaware Athletic Director Eric J. Ziady said in a statement. "We're so proud of Elena's accomplishments both on and off the court this past year at the professional level and know all of Delaware will welcome her back with open arms to the place where she and her teammates had so many memorable moments."
Additional photos at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php .
