NEW YORK – Scandal marred the first day of the NFL draft Thursday when the Houston Texans, clearly uncomfortable with the notion of a gay man inside their locker room, refused to select Missouri linebacker Michael Sam with the first overall choice in the 2014 NFL draft.
“It’s shocking and frankly disgusting that this sort of hostility toward homosexuality still exists in todays’ NFL,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO and President of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). “Houston’s unwillingness to choose an openly gay athlete with the first overall pick of the draft simply confirms what we’ve suspected all along: The Texans are 100% prejudiced against gay people, and Coach Bill O’Brien is obviously a total homophobe.”
“Look, we have nothing against Michael Sam. Really we don’t,” said O’Brien, reading from a prepared statement. “His decision to come out as a gay man back in February was a brave and admirable act, and we truly applaud him for his courage and stuff. We’re even considering choosing him with one of our later picks, in rounds five or six maybe. We just, you know, really wanted to choose Jadeveon Clowney in the first round. Not because he happens to be straight. But because he’s a better football player.”
Added O’Brien: “Trust us, we even have a gay friend and everything. Seriously, we’re not homophobes.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell promised swift and decisive disciplinary measures in response to the Texans’ shameful action.
“We in the National Football League are 100% committed to a policy of inclusion and tolerance, and I am personally appalled by the Houston Texans’ vicious, hateful decision not to select Michael Sam with the first overall draft choice,” said the commissioner. “As punishment for this despicable move, I am hereby stripping the Texans of a first round draft choice, a fine that is retroactive to this year’s draft. Therefore, Jadeveon Clowney is officially a free agent, and may now negotiate with any NFL team.”
