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Michael Sam's big gay kiss will never be forgotten. That was the whole point Michael Sam's big gay kiss will never be forgotten. That was the whole point
(4 months later)
It was one thing to watch Michael Sam's name get called on Saturday afternoon, as the 249th pick in the NFL Draft. Even people who are against same-sex marriage could understand the symbolism of the first openly gay player in the biggest sport in the biggest country in the world.It was one thing to watch Michael Sam's name get called on Saturday afternoon, as the 249th pick in the NFL Draft. Even people who are against same-sex marriage could understand the symbolism of the first openly gay player in the biggest sport in the biggest country in the world.
It was another thing entirely for the world to watch, a few minutes later, as two men kissed. On the lips. Over and over. And over and over.It was another thing entirely for the world to watch, a few minutes later, as two men kissed. On the lips. Over and over. And over and over.
This wasn't just a kiss. This was a full-on, lip-to-lip smackfest between Sam and his boyfriend, broadcast by ESPN and repeated, over and over, on TV and social media.This wasn't just a kiss. This was a full-on, lip-to-lip smackfest between Sam and his boyfriend, broadcast by ESPN and repeated, over and over, on TV and social media.
Fathers watched with their sons. Average Joes cheered on their favorite team with their fraternity brothers. Plumbers, lawyers, carpenters – they all sat in their bar stools and watched.Fathers watched with their sons. Average Joes cheered on their favorite team with their fraternity brothers. Plumbers, lawyers, carpenters – they all sat in their bar stools and watched.
America will never be the same again.America will never be the same again.
It was history in the making, but the selection was a sanitized history – and the kiss gave it a heart. After all, Michael Sam doesn't scream "gay". He is the kind of "straight-acting" man who dresses masculinely and carries himself like any other macho straight dude. For those struggling to accept that gay people exist, watching the draft was, at worst, intellectually challenging. Watching the kiss was, apparently, a struggle as well. It was history in the making, but the selection was a sanitized history – and the kiss gave it a heart. After all, Michael Sam doesn't scream "gay". He is the kind of "straight-acting" man who dresses masculinely and carries himself like any other macho straight dude. For those struggling to accept that gay people exist, watching the draft was, at worst, intellectually challenging. Watching the kiss was, apparently, a struggle as well.
Those kinds of detractors, the kind who don't want to talk about gay athletes, claim that sports – particularly at the professional level – are only about winning and losing. They couldn't be further from the truth. Sports are about sportsmanship and camaraderie, hard work and determination. They're also about social justice and equal opportunity. Victory and defeat are merely byproducts.Those kinds of detractors, the kind who don't want to talk about gay athletes, claim that sports – particularly at the professional level – are only about winning and losing. They couldn't be further from the truth. Sports are about sportsmanship and camaraderie, hard work and determination. They're also about social justice and equal opportunity. Victory and defeat are merely byproducts.
Indeed, sports are designed for moments like this – to bring together people of all walks of life, to build a kind of mutual understanding ... even if it does lead the religious right to claim ESPN is promoting the "homosexual agenda". Sports are designed to let them eat cake.Indeed, sports are designed for moments like this – to bring together people of all walks of life, to build a kind of mutual understanding ... even if it does lead the religious right to claim ESPN is promoting the "homosexual agenda". Sports are designed to let them eat cake.
The cultural impact of Saturday's draft selection – and the kiss watched 'round the world – reaches into every corner of American society. No child will ever again grow up thinking that being gay in the National Football League is "impossible". That was the word people used as recently as Saturday morning. Getting naked in the showers with an openly gay man was supposed to be too much for the gladiators of the NFL, that bellwether of American masculinity. That has all changed. Being gay is normal now, for boys and girls who watch TV on Saturday afternoons, and maybe even some of their parents.The cultural impact of Saturday's draft selection – and the kiss watched 'round the world – reaches into every corner of American society. No child will ever again grow up thinking that being gay in the National Football League is "impossible". That was the word people used as recently as Saturday morning. Getting naked in the showers with an openly gay man was supposed to be too much for the gladiators of the NFL, that bellwether of American masculinity. That has all changed. Being gay is normal now, for boys and girls who watch TV on Saturday afternoons, and maybe even some of their parents.
None of this was an accident. NFL executives know the power of their pulpit. ESPN executives know the profile of the average American football fan watching those late rounds of the draft – devoted, traditional, Bible Belt.None of this was an accident. NFL executives know the power of their pulpit. ESPN executives know the profile of the average American football fan watching those late rounds of the draft – devoted, traditional, Bible Belt.
Sam knew what he was doing in February when he embarked on his journey. He knew his coming out would change hearts and minds. He knew that on-camera kiss would begin another mini-culture war of its own. That was kind of the point.Sam knew what he was doing in February when he embarked on his journey. He knew his coming out would change hearts and minds. He knew that on-camera kiss would begin another mini-culture war of its own. That was kind of the point.
And the St Louis Rams knew, too, what they were getting with their selection. This wasn't a team in some gay haven like San Francisco or New York. This was Missouri, a state that voted to ban same-sex marriage a decade ago by more than a two-to-one margin. Sam and his boyfriend will be living there, eating at restaurants and attending social functions and, undoubtedly, kissing.And the St Louis Rams knew, too, what they were getting with their selection. This wasn't a team in some gay haven like San Francisco or New York. This was Missouri, a state that voted to ban same-sex marriage a decade ago by more than a two-to-one margin. Sam and his boyfriend will be living there, eating at restaurants and attending social functions and, undoubtedly, kissing.