Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy thinks Michael Sam deserves a chance to play in the NFL… It just likely wouldn’t have happened on his team if he were still on the sidelines.
“I wouldn’t have taken him,” Dungy told Ira Kaufman of 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 quote comes as part of a larger piece from Kaufman discussing an emphasis on tolerance in NFL locker rooms.
Sam’s reps were contacted by TMZ Sports for a response:
“Michael Sam is responding to Tony Dungy’s comments — by not responding — with Sam’s rep telling TMZ Sports he refuses to engage with the legendary coach … and wants to keep his focus on football.”
In May, Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL. Expected by some to be a mid-round draft choice, the former Missouri standout fell to the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round.
