INDIANAPOLIS -- Michael Sam needed no introduction.
Swingman James Harden Jersey . He provided one anyway, subtly spelling out his desire to be known simply as a football player whose sexuality isnt a national story. "Good afternoon. My name is Michael Sam. I play football for the University of Missouri," he said to commence his first public appearance since announcing hes gay. Sam smiled and laughed often during a 12 1/2-minute news conference at Lucas Oil Stadium, looking relaxed, jovial and confident while taking questions from the hundreds of reporters surrounding the podium. Despite credentials that include the Southeastern Conference co-defensive player of the year award, Sam is projected only as a mid-round pick in the draft in May. Hes 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, falling somewhere between a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme and an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system. Where he winds up, Sam said he doesnt care. "Im a pass rusher. If you put me in a situation to get the quarterback, Im going to get the quarterback. Whoever coaches or GMs, this league is a passing league. Id like to believe in myself as a good pass rusher," Sam said. Hes not worried about being accepted, either, in light of the bullying scandal that emerged in Miami. "If the Miami Dolphins drafted me I would be excited to be a part of that organization," Sam said. "But Im not afraid of going into that environment. I know how to handle myself. I know how to communicate with my teammates. I know how to communicate with the coaches and other staff I need to communicate with." Mostly, Sam wants to communicate this: "I just wish you guys would just see me as Michael Sam the football player instead of Michael Sam the gay football player." His former Missouri teammates certainly did. "Hes happy with who he is. He doesnt shy away from who he is. Mike Sam has got a lot of personality. Hes a great guy. Hes not going to be any different than who he is every day," said wide receiver LDamian Washington, one of several ex-Tigers stars here for the NFLs annual scouting combine. If Sam were to slip down the draft board, determining a bias against his orientation or a fear of the potential distraction would be near impossible. If teams pass on him, theyre likely unsure how his combination of size and speed fits with their defence. "You only need one team. One team that believes in you. Theres 32 teams. You need one team," Washington said. Coaches and executives around the league were asked often this weekend for their thoughts on how Sam would fit, both on the field and in the locker room. "He would be welcomed, no different than any other player we have," New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said, adding: "The big thing we always talk about is respect in our locker room."
Swingman Robert Horry Jersey . After missing 20 games as a rookie a year ago, Valanciunas - like the Raptors as a whole - has been fortunate to be in good health this season. As he spoke about it, the Raptors sophomore centre scanned the room for wood to knock on. "It is disappointing because we lost today so thats the worst part of the day," said Valanciunas, who left Tuesdays game with a lower-back sprain in the third quarter, missing the rest of Torontos 118-113 overtime defeat at the hands of the Hawks.
James Harden Rockets Jersey . - Benched Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman said he has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and voluntarily entered the NFL substance abuse program more than a year ago after mistakenly taking a medication to treat the condition.AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas quarterback David Ash has given up playing football after suffering at least one concussion and lingering symptoms over the last year. Longhorns coach Charlie Strong said on Wednesday that he told Ash "there was no way we were going to let you back on the field." Added Strong, "His health is our major concern." Strong said that Ash would remain a part of the program working with the teams younger quarterbacks. Ash, a junior, suffered a concussion during the second week of the 2013 season in a game at BYU. That is the only concussion that Ash and the team have acknowledged. He returned two weeks later, against Kansas State, but left that game with what Texas officials called a head injury. He missed the rest of the season. Ash was determined to return this season, but he acknowledged that there was some concern among family members. He played in the opener, a victory against North Texas, but experienced headaches and dizziness after the game, Strong said. Ash missed the next two games. The Longhorns have off this week. Strong said Ash approached him to discusss the future.
James Harden Jersey. Ash played in 29 games at Texas, starting 22. He ranks seventh in school history in career touchdown passes (31) and eighth in passing yards (4,728). Sophomore Tyrone Swoopes started the last two games for the Longhorns, losses to BYU and UCLA. Swoopes has completed 44 of 65 passes (67.7 per cent) with three touchdowns against one interception. Swoopes completed 24 of 34 against UCLA, including two touchdowns. "Tyrone played very well," Strong said. Strong sounds like a coach who would prefer that Swoopes take every meaningful snap for the rest of the season. His backup, Jerrod Heard, is a freshman who has not appeared in a game and is eligible for a redshirt season. "Well go with Tyrone as long as we can unless something happens," Strong said. Strong said he did not want to use Heard "just to play him. If he plays 25 snaps for a year, youve wasted a year." The Longhorns lost another starter against UCLA on Saturday. Defensive tackle Desmond Jackson will undergo foot surgery and probably miss the rest of the season, Strong said.
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