Media 'shock' value in gay football player story

Michael Sam, an All-American defensive lineman for the University of Missouri, announced this weekend that he was gay.

What makes this story a headliner is that Sam will soon enter the NFL draft and with his skills on the field, he may well become the first openly gay member of the National Football League.

It certainly took courage for the football star to announce to teammates and the world that he was gay -- though reports say most of his Mizzou teammates were quietly aware of the situation.

But my question is just when will we run out of "firsts" in the ongoing acceptance of gays in society?

Let's clear some air first though.

Those who object to homosexuality do so primarily along moral lines. There is no doubt of the Bible's position on the matter -- though even some within the clergy have a growing acceptance.

But regardless of your moral position on the issue, the gay rights movement has taken front and center in the social discussion of this country.

We all know there are openly gay members of Congress, the administration, every facet of Hollywood and the music industry. Most people have a gay co-worker or family member or friend.

Surely by now the "shock" value of these announcements should have passed.

But the mainstream media is obsessive in their push to expand the openly gay community as if this is truly news.

It's not. We get it!

Granted, sports is the final frontier in the "gay" debate and that makes Sam's announcement newsworthy, I guess.

Like perhaps most of you, I care less about this man's sexual orientation than I do his ability to play the sport in which he excels.

When former NBA player Jason Collins publicly "came out," the president was very public in calling to congratulate him on his courage, etc.

Same-sex marriage is now the law of the land in some states. Just last week, Attorney General Eric Holder announced expanded joint benefits for gay couples.

But the constant drumbeat of the media won't change people's opinions regardless of how many "firsts" are still to be announced.

There is a difference between the recognition that gays exist and are no different in their abilities than anyone else and acceptance of their lifestyle.

I care not what Michael Sam does in his personal life. But I sure hope the former Missouri lineman is a star in the NFL.

Michael Jensen is the publisher of the Sikeston Standard Democrat.