TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 SPORTS Michael Sam bravely comes out, now what? NEW YORK: Michael Sam could’ve taken the - well, LOT OF CRITICISM er room knows what a macho world that can be, in time it’s still a man’s-man game. To call somebody not the easy, but certainly the easier - way out by “The reality is: Michael Sam is going to open him- where distasteful - even hurtful - words are thrown a (gay slur) is still so commonplace.” staying mum on his sexual orientation, at least self up to a lot of criticism and a lot of challenges,” around with shocking frequency. Imagine what Sam might face on the field, in a until after the NFL draft. said former NFL offensive lineman Frank Garcia, now sport where it’s not all that unusual for a player to Instead, one of the nation’s top college football a sports radio show host in Charlotte. BULLIED AND HARASSED exact his own version of justice with a low blow or a players bravely decided to speak now, to tell the “Those are challenges most gay people have to Just ask Jonathan Martin, the offensive lineman dirty block. But there’s some encouraging signs, as world he is gay at a time when NFL teams are grad- go through, but when you are dealing with alpha who walked away from the Miami Dolphins this past well. Sam came out in August to his teammates and ing the guys they’ll be picking in a couple of males and some meatheads in an NFL locker room, season, claiming he had been bullied and harassed coaches at Missouri, and it sure didn’t seem to have months. it’s amplified. And there are some guys who have daily by teammate Richie Incognito and others. any negative impact on the Tigers. They went 12-2, This is not Jason Collins, as courageous as he strong religious beliefs too, so he’s going to be Eight NFL executives and coaches, interviewed by won the SEC East Division title, and defeated was, coming out at the end of his NBA career. This judged. He’s going to face some things that are SI.com and given anonymity so they could give their Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. Sam, a 6-foot-2, is a young man just getting started as a profession- going to be very difficult to overcome.” true opinions, revealed the daunting challenges that 255-pound defensive end, led the conference in al, after leading Missouri to one of the best seasons We’ve already gotten more than a glimpse at Sam set himself up for by coming out ahead of the sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (19). in school history. Finally, we’ll get to see how this what Sam will face. At last year’s Super Bowl, San draft. Before he spoke, the Southeastern Conference “Michael is a great example of just how impor- plays out, an openly gay player lining up in Francisco cornerback Chris Culliver made a fool of defensive player of the year was projected as a mid- tant it is to be respectful of others, he’s taught a lot America’s most popular sport. Finally, we’ll get to himself when jokingly asked by comedian Artie to late-round draft pick. Now, according to everyone of people here firsthand that it doesn’t matter what see what barriers we’ve broken down and, more Lange if he would ever pursue a gay man. interviewed by SI.com, his stock will certainly plum- your background is, or your personal orientation, important, what hurdles remain when someone “Ain’t got no gay people on the team,” Culliver met. “I just know with this going on this is going to we’re all on the same team and we all support each acknowledges they are gay, then competes with said. “They gotta get up outta here if they do. Can’t drop him down,” said a veteran NFL scout. “Do you other,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “If Michael doesn’t and against guys who may be repelled by the be with that sweet stuff.” A few years ago, I broached want to be the team to, quote-unquote, break that have the support of his teammates like he did this notion of having a relationship with another man. the idea of having an openly gay teammate to sever- barrier?” past year, I don’t think there’s any way he has the Because of Sam, it will be easier for the next guy. al players in the Atlanta Braves clubhouse. One type of season he put together.” And the guy after that. But for all the progress this freely conceded he would be uncomfortable dress- MAN’S-MAN GAME Let’s hope there’s another team, another group of country has made in gay rights, there will surely be ing or showering in front of someone he knew was A player personnel assistant added, “I don’t think players that feels the same way, that judges Sam by plenty of ugliness in the weeks and months and gay, and I’ve long suspected he was not alone in that football is ready for it just yet. In the coming decade what he can do on a football field. Nothing more. years to come. attitude. Anyone who has ever been in a sports lock- or two, it’s going to be acceptable, but at this point Nothing less. It’s time. — AP Italy, Australia, Germany into Fed Cup semi-finals PARIS: Italy kept their Fed Cup title defence on track Sunday, downing the United States to join Australia and Germany in the semi-finals of the women’s tennis competition. Karin Knapp claimed the decisive third point for Italy, giving them an unbeatable 3-0 lead with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over American Alison Riske. The holders won’t know their opponents for the April 19-20 semi-finals until late yesterday, after rain in Seville forced decisive matches in Spain’s clash with the Czech Republic to be pushed back with the hosts holding a 1-0 lead. Both Italy and the United States were without their top players for the Kuwait Shooting Club board members and representatives from ministries during tie on an indoor hard court in Cleveland, Ohio. the press conference. Italy, seeking a fifth Fed Cup in nine years, were without Sara Errani and Flavia Pennetta, while the United States were without injured stars Serena Kuwait gears up for Williams and Sloane Stephens. But Knapp, ranked 40th in the world, came through with two victories. She opened the tie with shooting tourney a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win over Christina McHale on By Abellatif Sharaa Saturday, when Camila Giorgi crushed US teen Madison Keys 6-2, 6-1. In the meaningless doubles KUWAIT: President of the Arab and match, Keys and Lauren Davis teamed up to beat Kuwait Shooting Federation, Engr Duaij Nastassja Burnett and Alice Matteucci 6-2, 6-3 and Khalaf Al-Otaibi said HH the Amir Third prevent the whitewash, giving Italy a final 3-1 tri- PARIS: French Fed Cup team celebrates after winning the first round tennis tie against International Shooting Tournament umph. US captain Mary Joe Fernandez opted to Switzerland at the Pierre de Coubertin stadium. France won 3-2. — AFP which will start on March 7 at Sheikh substitute Riske for Keys in Sunday’s reverse singles, Sabah Al-Ahmad Shooting Olympic hoping her more aggressive style would prove trou- gles win when seeing off FedCup newcomer the reverse singles in Bratislava. Shooting Complex will be distinguished blesome for the Italian. Victoria Kan 6-2, 6-3 in Sunday’s opening rubber to Kerber had already beaten Daniela Hantuchova and different from the previous two tour- Instead, Knapp broke Riske seven times, and secure an unassailable 3-0 lead. Ashleigh Barty and 7-6 (11/9), 6-1 in the second of Saturday’s two sin- naments. This time the tournament will while the Italian’s nerves got the better of her in her Casey Dellacqua sealed a 4-0 clean sweep over the gles, after Andrea Petkovic had saved a match point see three competitions shotgun, rifle and first two chances to serve for the match, she fin- Russians with an emphatic 6-1, 6-3 doubles win en route to a 1-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 win over Cibulkova. sporting, as all events will be under the ished it off in style with a love game punctuated by over Irina Khromacheva and Valeria Solovyeva. “It was tough, so I was just trying to play point-by- patronage of HH the Amir. a service winner on her first match point. “We’re still in it, so we have a chance to win it,” point. I think I played well, I moved well, I mixed it Engr Al-Otaibi was speaking during a “I got a little bit nervous,” Knapp admitted. “I got Stosur said of Australia’s prospects of claiming the up well, sometimes aggressive, sometimes defen- press conference held Sunday evening in Duaij Al-Otaibi a little bit of emotion. At the end, the last game, I title for the first time since 1974. First though they sive, and I’m so happy that we’re now through,” served again better. I think this was the key.” In will have to overcome Germany, waiting for them in Kerber said. Slovakia picked up their point courtesy the presence of KSSC vice chairman Shooting Confederation and ISSF Vice- Mohammad Karam, Secretary General Hobart, Australia ensured their place in the next the semis.