equal rights for L.G.B.T.” revolution

As the whole world is in an “equal rights for L.G.B.T.” revolution, first Team All-American football player Michael Sam came out and said he was gay. This statement is stirring up all different types of conversation because if he lands on a N.F.L team this upcoming season, Sam will be the first openly gay football player in the history of the N.F.L. CNN author Coy Wire wrote the article “Michael Sam smashes status quo” which discusses the hardship and impact of the first potential iconic figure for the LGBT in the NFL.

In the article, Wire discusses how bold it was for Michael Sam to come out as an openly gay football player because he is paving the way for people to be comfortable with the idea of homosexuality in football. Wire explains how there are many different aspects of why Michael Sam will have a tough journey throughout his NFL career. There will be players who will feel uncomfortable, fans who will criticize him in hurtful ways, and teams who will pass him on because he might serve as a distraction. In Wire’s conclusion, he states how many historical figures, such as Martin Luther King Jr and Eleanor Roosevelt, were considered crazy in the process while standing up for what was right. Many people may not think they’re ready, but Wire points out that it’s time for our society to “smash the status quo” and stand up for what is right. Sam won’t be easily accepted, but by potentially being the first openly gay football player, he will accelerate the process of acceptance of homosexuals in professional sports.

Sam could be the first ever professional openly gay football player, which Wire says will lead different groups to act negatively towards him. Wire uses the example of football player, Jonathan Vilma, who said h...

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...different, and acted horribly towards him, but he eventually broke the racial barrier and forever changed sports. Wire’s purpose is to explain how Michael Sam is the L.G.B.T. figure, and how he is breaking a barrier for the L.G.B.T. community in professional sports, which will hopefully create equality for gay athletes everywhere. Wire’s article is strong because he uses examples of past iconic figures, recent quotes from football players, facts about Michael Sam’s playing record, and perfectly ties together how Sam will be the next leader. This article is very effective because it uses facts about Michael Sam, but then also brings in the reader by writing how “We can all contribute to our society as the greats before us have.” Wire then powerfully ends with challenging the reader to act: “we have to be willing to smash the status quo and perhaps be called "crazy."