Gebäudetypen » He threw 50 pitches pain free

CLEVELAND -- Once Michael Sam is drafted in the NFL, the Missouri defensive end will be judged strictly on whether he can play and whether he can help his team win. Everything else -- even that hes gay -- will be trivial. As the first openly homosexual player to enter the draft, Sam could face scrutiny unlike any player before him. But many of the greatest players and coaches in football history dont believe hell be subjected to any hatred, harassment, discrimination or bullying by teammates. "I dont think hell have any problem in the locker room. I dont think hell have any problems on the field," said Hall of Fame offensive tackle Art Shell. "The one thing about football players, theyre inclusive. They will take you for who you are, not what people try to portray you as. "Its who you are: Youre a football player, then you can play with us. I dont see that as being a problem in the National Football League." Shells stance was shared by several other Hall of Famers, including Lions running back Barry Sanders, Buffalo coach Marv Levy, and Giants linebacker Harry Carson, who appeared along with nearly 100 other inductees at a two-day "Fan Fest," the largest gathering ever of football legends outside Canton, Ohio. Sanders, who retired at the peak of his career following the 1998 season with 15,269 career yards rushing, believes theres an unwritten code among football players to ignore anything other than a persons skills and talents. "From the time youre a kid and you start playing, youre almost programmed for Can a guy play or not?" he said. "By the time you get to the NFL, thats well ingrained. Im pretty sure every guy in this league has been around gay individuals before, and so I dont think it will be much different." Sams courageous decision to reveal his sexual orientation was an important personal milestone. It was also an historic moment for the NFL and all major sports as it provides a deeper reflection of societys openness and willingness to accept his individuality. Sams revelation may not have been met with such overwhelming approval just a few years ago. In the macho arena that is pro football, Sam may have been an outcast in previous generations. "Hes a very bold guy to come out," said cornerback Michael Haynes, a nine-time Pro Bowler elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997. "The timing is good. If hed done that in the 60s or 70s, maybe not so good because everybody was really struggling with how to understand differences like that in people. "Diversity has become a critical topic, people are talking about it all the time and I think the world is different. Remember Magic Johnson with AIDS? It starts with education. Hell be judged on football." Carson, who retired in 1988 after 13 seasons in New York, said he was "proud" of Sam for choosing to be open about his sexuality. Carson recalled that one of his Giants teammates, offensive lineman Roy Simmons, was suspected as being gay and was never ostracized. "It never really swayed anyones opinion of him," Carson said. "But its something he lived with and he didnt have to by himself because he had teammates, and the teammates he had were guys who supported him. Even though he never said anything, were a team and guys on the team who are unselfish are going to support their teammates regardless of how they choose to live their lives." Simmons, the first player to acknowledge he was HIV positive, died early this year. He was 57. Its possible there will be some awkwardness for Sam in the locker room, where he could be subjected to jokes and playful ribbing. Sanders believes those days are long gone. "Guys are more forward thinking than you think," he said. "It helps that hes a big guy. No one will mess with him." The 6-foot-2, 261-pound Sam has been projected to be drafted from the third round on. Sam didnt perform well on the field at the scouting combine, where he calmly handled tough questions about his decision to "come out." Levy, who led the Bills to four straight Super Bowls, said his criteria before deciding to draft Sam would be pretty simple. "Is he the best guy at his position when were on the board, and do we need a guy at that position?" the 89-year-old Levy said. "If so, Ill take him. Id like to know his character qualities and other things, but that would not factor into my decision." If he were coaching a team that selected Sam, Levy said he would not feel any need to address his players. That may not have been the case 10 or 20 years ago. "I wouldnt make an issue of it," Levy said. "I think society has adjusted to the point where its an acceptable thing and why make an issue of it? That would be my approach. Things change, plus Ive got to worry about how to pick up the blitz." Odell Beckham Jr Womens Jersey . -- C.J. Cron hit an RBI single on the first pitch he saw in the major leagues, doubled his second time up and hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the sixth inning to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 5-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night. Baker Mayfield Jersey . It was considered unlikely that Rielly would be loaned to Canada for the tournament, which begins Dec. 26 in Malmo, Sweden, though a stretch of three straight games in the press box made it something of a debate. http://www.brownsauthenticproshop.com/Yo...-Browns-Jersey/. The Mavericks avoided a season sweep by the Nuggets, who ran away with a win in Denver two weeks ago to hand Dallas its longest losing streak at three games. Dallas (42-28) got a boost in the playoff race when Miami rallied from seven down in the last 3 1/2 minutes to beat Memphis 91-86 Friday night. Jim Brown Jersey . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. Antonio Callaway Womens Jersey . Less than 24 hours after the Wolves lost at home to the Mavericks, 100-98, NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn announced Tuesday that Kevin Love was fouled on his right arm by Shawn Marion in the closing seconds and should have been awarded two free throws.CHICAGO -- Wade Miley pitched seven strong innings, Cody Ross had three hits and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 Saturday night. Miley (3-3) allowed two runs on four hits while striking out six and not allowing a walk. His only mistake came on an 0-1 pitch in the fifth inning that Paul Konerko hit over the left-field fence for a two-run home run. Former White Sox closer Addison Reed flirted with disaster in his first meeting against his former team before getting his 11th save in 12 chances. Reed, who was traded to the Diamondbacks from the White Sox in the off-season, gave up a leadoff single to pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie, who ended up scoring on Alexei Ramirezs two-out single. Ramirez stole second but was stranded after Reed got Konerko to bounce out to second. The White Sox lost for just the second time in seven games. White Sox starter Jose Quintana (1-3) went six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk. The left-hander was done in by a rough fifth inning. Alfredo Marte hit an RBI double in the fifth and scored on A.J. Pollocks single. Martin Prado extended the Diamondbacks lead to 3-0 with an RBI sacrifice fly. The Diamondback hitters worked the count, forcing Quintana to throw 29 pitches in the inning. Miley faced the minimum through the first four innings. He consistently got ahead of White Sox hitters and got help from a double play in the fourth.dddddddddddd Konerkos homer was his first of the season and 435th of his career, moving him past Juan Gonzalez and Andruw Jones for 43rd on the career home run list. Konerko, playing his 18th and final season, has been used as a bench player. He was playing first base for Jose Abreu, who is nursing an ankle injury while hitting in the DH spot. Abreu was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts after going 3 for 4 with a home run in Fridays win. Arizona picked up an insurance run in the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Miguel Montero lined a single off the mitt of right fielder Moises Sierra to give Arizona a 4-2 lead. White Sox reliever Zach Putnam escaped further damage by getting Aaron Hill to ground into a double play. NOTES: Before the game, White Sox LHP Chris Sale threw a successful simulated game. He threw 50 pitches pain free. He will likely make two rehab starts before returning with the White Sox in two weeks. Hes on the 15-day disabled list with a strained flexor muscle near his left elbow. He hasnt pitched in a game since April 17. ... The White Sox purchased the contract of reliever Frank Francisco and designated Maikel Cleto for assignment. ... Arizona starter Chase Anderson is scheduled to make his major league debut Sunday. ... White Sox bench coach Mark Parent filled in for manager Robin Ventura, who missed the game to attend his daughters graduation. ' ' '