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Thinking Out Loud: MU's reaction to Michael Sam's coming out

Karen Mitchell/KBIA

Recently, former MU football player and alumni Michael Sam announced he was gay. KBIA, ESPN and other media outlets continue to thoroughly cover this story. On this weeks' Thinking Out Loud, KBIA's Darren Hellwege looks at how MU's sports administration reacted to Sam's announcement.

MU head football coach Gary Pinkelon the team's reaction to Michael Sam's announcement:

I am very proud of Michael Sam. I am very proud our football team, how we've dealt with this. It says so much for our family and our team... We talk in our program all the time about respecting the cultural differences of other people. That's one of our core values and that certainly applies to this. We are going to be respectful and caring and kind to every one of our teammates.

MU strength and conditioning coach Pat Ivey on Sam's timing:

Mike is a very intelligent person. He has a lot of people around him that support him. He has a good team as far as his agent. He made the best decision that works for him. He wasn't doing this with the NFL in mind. This was the best time for him.

Ivey on the team's reaction to Sam's announcement:

Mike prepared his teammates for what just happened. And once again his teammates had his back. No one made anyone do anything. It was all out of respect. He let all of us know this was coming.

Listen to Thinking Out Loud on KBIA 91.3FM each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 6:00 a.m.

"The Voice Of Columbia," Darren Hellwege has hosted NPR's “Morning Edition” for over 30 years on KBIA, and serves as host/producer of the award-winning “Thinking Out Loud” programs. He also hosts “Vox Humana” on Classical 90.5 FM. Darren is also a marketing representative for KBIA and Classical 90.5, helping businesses connect with their customers using public radio.
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