Tony Dungy wouldn't want Michael Sam on his team because 'things will happen'

Tony Dungy wouldn't want Michael Sam on his team because 'things will happen'
(Image credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Former NFL coach Tony Dungy says he would not have drafted Michael Sam, the NFL's first openly gay player, because he wouldn't want to deal with Sam's supposed baggage.

"I wouldn't have taken him,'' the NBC football analyst and former Buccaneers and Colts coach told The Tampa Tribune. "Not because I don't believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play, but I wouldn't want to deal with all of it."

Sam's transition to the NFL is "not going to be totally smooth," Dungy explained, adding that "things will happen."

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The St. Louis Rams, who took Sam 249th overall, do not share that concern. "In the world of diversity we live in now," coach Jeff Fisher said when the team drafted Sam, "I'm honored to be a part of this."

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