Tony Dungy, a former NFL player and coach and current analyst for NBC Sports, would not have drafted openly gay player Michael Sam were he still coaching an NFL franchise.

Tony Dungy Wouldn't Have Taken Michael Sam

Dungy, who made history becoming the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl when he led the Indianapolis Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI, “wouldn’t want to deal” with the potential repercussion of having an openly gay player in his locker-room.

"[It’s] not because I don't believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play,” Dungy told the Tampa Tribune, “but I wouldn't want to deal with all of it.”

Dungy added that Sam’s inclusion into the league will be hard-going. “It’s not going to be totally smooth,” he said. “Things will happen.’’

In addition to people finding it hard to believe that Dungy seems to miss the parallels between Sam and someone like Jackie Robinson – who paved the way for black athletes such as Dungy himself – there’s also the fact that Dungy was one of Michael Vick’s foremost supporters after his dog-fighting crimes. The question is asked, if Dungy can call for a second chance for Vick – who was no doubt a distraction in his return to the league – why can’t he endorse Sam? Sam, after all, hasn’t committed any crimes; he just happens to be gay.

In response to Dungy, whose remarks are coming after similar ones made by former coach Herm Edwards earlier this year, is to remain silent and not engage in the dialogue. On Monday, Sam kicked off his first day at the St. Louis Rams training camp.

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