Michael Sam

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Members of the Westboro Baptist Church, home of the anti-gay extremists behind the “Gods Hate Fags” and “God hates the World” fundamentalist movement, on Saturday protested the coming out of Missouri football player Michael Sam outside Mizzou Arena on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze has coached gay players before during his 20-year career. Though Freeze declined to name the two players he coached before arriving on Mississippi’s campus because of privacy, he said there is no exact protocol for how to handle a situation like the one that arose with Michael Sam.

From his news desk in Dallas, Texas, Dale Hansen spoke out in support of openly gay football player Michael Sam, and the point he made was heard round the world. Ellen DeGeneres had him on her show Friday to talk about his statement in person.

Dallas sports anchor Dale Hansen at WFAA-TV addresses the notion that some people will be “uncomfortable” with an openly gay NFL player.

MONTREAL — The Canadian Football League fined two players Tuesday for making inappropriate comments about openly gay NFL prospect Michael Sam.

Michael Sam, the Associated Press’ SEC Defensive Player of the Year from Missouri, who came out as gay on Sunday and could become the first openly NFL player, graces the cover of Sports Illustrated this week, which asks, “Is the NFL ready” for an openly gay player?

KENT, Ohio — A wrestler at Kent State University has been suspended indefinitely for a series of anti-gay tweets on Monday, including referring to Missouri football player Michael Sam as “that fag.”

Michael Sam will face a daunting set of challenges that most rookies don’t have to deal with when making the already formidable jump from college to the NFL.

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said Monday that Michael Sam first revealed he was gay at one of the football team’s get-acquainted dinners last summer. The next day, Sam told the entire team.

WASHINGTON — The White House is applauding a University of Missouri football player’s decision to announce that he is gay, with President Barack Obama’s spokesman, first lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden all portraying him as a courageous and inspirational athlete.

Finally, we’ll get to see how this plays out, an openly gay player lining up in America’s most popular sport. Finally, we’ll get to see what barriers we’ve broken down and, more important, what hurdles remain when someone acknowledges they are gay, then competes with and against guys who may be repelled by the notion of having a relationship with another man. Because of Michael Sam, it will be easier for the next guy. And the guy after that. But for all the progress this country has made in gay rights, there will surely be plenty of ugliness in the weeks and months and years to come.

Tolerance is about to be tested in the National Football League. And Michael Sam hopes his ability is all that matters, not his sexual orientation. Missouri’s All-America defensive end came out to the entire country Sunday night and could become the first openly gay player in America’s most popular sport.

Missouri All-American Michael Sam says he is gay, and the defensive end could become the first openly gay player in the NFL.