Former Colts coach Tony Dungy said he wouldn’t have drafted former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam.

“I wouldn’t have taken him. 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,” Dungy told the Tampa Tribune.

“It’s not going to be totally smooth … things will happen.”

Sam, the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL, was taken in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams and has an uphill battle to make the team’s opening day 53-man roster.

“If you’re going to take a leadership position by drafting Michael, you have to expect the good and the bad,” said Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff. “We’re prepared for it, and I think we’ll shine through it.”

The Star’s Bob Kravitz, who covered Dungy during the former coach’s Colts tenure, tweeted: “Really disappointed but not surprised to hear Tony Dungy say he would not have drafted Michael Sam because his sexuality would be distraction.”

After Sam came out in February, Dungy had this to say:

“The NFL has always been based on merit, and I think that will continue to be the case with Michael Sam and the issue homosexuality or anything else. Guys who produce and play well will be welcomed into the league.”

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SOURCE: IndyStar
Matthew Glenesk