On “Dancing with the Stars,” football player Michael Sam performed to a song all about a dad who won’t accept his son.
He danced quite well, I might add.
If you remember, Michael Sam announced he was gay in advance of the NFL draft, becoming the NFL’s first openly gay football player.
He actually is the first openly gay player to be drafted in any major league sport in America.
Unfortunately, it cost Michael his relationship with his father.
After Michael came out, his father gave an interview to “The New York Times” saying things like
- “I don’t want my grandkids being raised in that type of environment,” and
- Deacon Jones, the Hall of Fame defensive end renowned for his toughness, “is turning over in his grave.”
Michael is now estranged from his father.
Michael is using his celebrity to bring attention to acceptance.
The fact is that America has a long way to go before all parents will accept their children for who they are. Too many people in the LGBT community are afraid of coming out to their families for fear of ridicule, rejection, or worse.
What Michael Sam does with his recognition could change a few minds across America…
…maybe even a parent of a future gay NFL player out there.
