First Post: Michael Sam
by Chanel Smith
Hello Ravens Nation! I’m excited to move my thoughts from twitter (@torreysmithwr) WordPress. As some of you may know, I am very vocal and enjoy talking about current events, and any random thoughts that cross my mind. Having the ability to interact with others via social media has been amazing, and blogging will take it to another level. There is no better time than now! My offseason consists of working out in the morning, coming home to my beautiful pregnant wife Chanel, sharing laughs with her nephew Kyleem, and talking to you guys on twitter and Instagram. Not too glamorous for a professional athlete, but it is THE LIFE to me. Lets jump straight into it. My first post will talk about something that is considered controversial to some…..Michael Sam announcing that he is gay.
I would personally like to applaud Michael Sam for being the first in this profession to be open and honest about his sexuality. This shows his courage and strength. I will not call him a hero because that title belongs to the soldiers who defend our freedom, our right to practice our religion, and even our right to choose our sexual orientation. I will call him a man. A man who has proudly stepped to the forefront of an ongoing and controversial topic, to say who he is and what he stands for. So many children and adults struggle with the battle that
Michael just won. He doesn’t have to live a secret life and can live “freely”. Can you imagine living your entire life knowing that you can never truly be yourself, simply because it’s different than how society feels you are “supposed” to be? Chasing your dreams, knowing the consequences of being yourself could be detrimental to your career? If you can do your job well, why does it matter what you do in your personal life? No man or woman should ever have to deal with that stress, especially in this country.
I was recently asked if I would mind playing with an openly gay man. My response? Absolutely not! If he is a great football player and can help us win our next Super Bowl, I could care less about who or what he likes as long as he performs on the field. Some may argue that it could effect the chemistry in the locker room but that shouldn’t be an issue. Most men are comfortable with their sexuality. The University of Missouri football team is proof of that. If a group of athletes 18-22 years old can handle having an openly gay teammate, why can’t a group of professional athletes? Things may have been a little different 15-20 years ago, but society is different now. As long as there is a reciprocation of respect, the locker room environment shouldn’t be an issue.
There will continue to be an ongoing debate concerning this topic, but let’s face the facts. Many of us (players), and people in general, have openly gay family members and friends (I happen to be one of them). If we could bet (I’m just using the phrase Mr. Goodell), I would say there are plenty of other guys, playing in the NFL right now, who are living secret lives, too afraid to be open about their sexuality. Michael Sam may have given those guys hope that they can be themselves and that we (society/NFL) will accept it. Michael Sam may have been the first to do it, but he will not be the last. Don’t judge him based on his sexual preference; judge him based on his talent on the field. At the end of the day, if he could help the 2014 Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl, I would welcome him any day of the week. I am just one voice of many athletes around the NFL who feel the same way. Best of luck to Michael Sam.
Torrey Smith's Off-Season Blog Full Of Random Thoughts 
One of the concerns I have seen is that it will take the right team to be able to provide the right environment for Michael Sam. I take great pride in knowing the my beloved Ravens would absolutely just accept Michael Sam as a teammate like everyone else and not make the way he was born an issue.
You are so wise for someone so young………thank you for posting this!
You are a class act, Mr. Smith. I could not have said it any better myself.
I am glad to see you writing your thoughts. Also excited for you and your wife and the new little life that will becoming to meet you soon. Just keep doing what you are doing Torrey. Your a good man and a great role model for our children who need it bad in Baltimore.
Well said mr. Smith, i agree with your thoughts completely. Hope your wifes pregency is going great, and im sitting ib the hospital with my women waiting to see if we will have a valentines day baby! Keep up the good work and GO RAVENS!!!!!
Great job Torrey! Looking forward to your posts!!!!
You’re a good man
Hello Torrey, I recently had to opportunity and honor of meeting you at the Walmart in Fredericksburg, Va last month while supporting your foundation’s fund drive. It only took me a few seconds to realize how special you are, not only on the football field, but as a man with a great heart. I applaud you on your posting of Michael Sam. By the way, I know you met a lot of nice people up in Fredericksburg, but I am the guy with the Ravens hat and super bowl jacket that was too embarrassed to pulled out my old flip phone to take a pic with you. Lol if you remember me. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Ray J
Well said…look forward to your next blog post.
This blog is one of the many reasons that I am a Torrey Smith fan! I have amazing respect for people who are willing to take a stand in the interest of fairness and equality in spite of the potential for repercussions. You and Michael Sam both embody courage. Way to go Torrey!
What a thoughtful blog. I applaud you Torrey for putting your thoughts out there. I believe Michael Sam did exactly what he needed to do. I hope this prompts other athletes to come out of hiding as well and go on to live their lives in the open. These are people who should be celebrated for what they can achieve and bring to a team, not be discriminated because of who they were born as. Our society will only reach our full potential when we start concentrating on what makes us all alike and stop pointing out and therefore discriminating against our differences. I believe as a potentially great player Michael Sam would fit in well as a Raven. I would be as proud to wear his jersey as I would be to wear any Raven ‘ s jersey. Thank you for your thoughtful words Torrey. You’re still my favorite player!
They preach on Sunday might as well play football. Everything has to be politically correct especially if you want to get paid.
Thank you Torrey! I’m so proud of how you have expressed your thoughts concerning Michael Sam. God bless you, Chanel and baby Smith.
Ravens strong in Charleston, SC
Very well written Torrent,
I truly believe this is the way you feel. I also could care less about anybody’s sexually preference. That being said I also believe that in today’s society it hard to be truthful. Im sure that their are lots of NFL players also that do not share your view, but are not truthful and live a lie saying its no big deal cause they can and will get fined or fired for not supporting gay rights. Is this something that you agree with? I feel our freedom of free speech is slowly being taken away from us in this country. Personally if an NFL player were to come out and say he does not agree with Micheal Sam and would not accept him in football that they should not be judged for feeling that way either, but I just dont think that would happen therefore I think every NFL player thinks the same way you do.
Kudos Torrey!!! Thanks for ur support on such. a controversial topic.
Michael Sam is incredibly brave to speak out publicly. Hopefully the NFL bullies (they know who they are!) don’t mess with him the way bullies have messed with others. Life is hard enough without bullies acting like azzes!
Great post, Torrey! I am always proud to be a diehard Ravens fan and having such intelligent, thoughtful, involved, and concerned players on our team makes me that much happier to be a fan!
I don’t know what’s more wonderful – your blog post, or your totally supportive fans. With your support of this issue, your values, and your love of dogs, I’ve decided you’re just too good to be real. Love you, dude!
Great blog Torrey. I’ve followed you on twitter for a while and always enjoy & respect your thoughts. I pray that with time everyone will become more accepting of others and things that are different than them. I too have family members and friends who’s sexual orientation is different than mine but why would that ever change our family or friendship? It shouldn’t. I have always said (and I hope I’m correct in saying it this way Suzanne) I think society spends too much time thinking that being gay has only to do with sex. My husband and I met, fell in love and married because of our similar family values, plans for future, religious ideas and followings, political views etc. of course physical attraction played a part in our initial desire to keep seeing each other but ultimately not what our marriage is built on. So why is that the first and sometimes the only thing society thinks of when someone mentions that they’re gay? As Naveen K stated I too am a lifetime and proud Patriots fan but I recognize and applaud your character and leadership. Enjoy your off season and congratulations on your new addition! God Bless
Well said, Lisa! 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to read my earlier comments! 🙂
I’ve been reading a lot about this young man. .. I agree with you
100% … But you know there are some knuckle heads out there
who are hate_in on him for being brave, and coming out…
I’m praying for him to be strong and get past all that negatively. ..
and show them that it doesn’t matter… Show them that he not a gay
player……But a great player…….
If only every other NFL player had that same mindset as you Torrey. We can only hope that this is the beginning of acceptance around the NFL and all sports, professional or not. Welcome to blogging! People like yourself, standing up through the use of social media are making a great change in the lives of many. Off topic here, If you ever need any graphic/web design for your blog or anything else feel free to contact me! I’d be honored to hook you up with a nice design. I can show you my work if you’d like.
Looking forward to seeing more blogs, very great choice of topic and start!
GO RAVENS!!!
GREAT POST TORREY!!!!….Loved it!!!…I may have to start blogging again!!!!…CAW!!!!:))
Kudos Torrey!!!!
Torrey, I live not far from you and have met you in passing a few times at local stores. I am a huge fan, but not one to invade the privacy that you deserve, even as a public figure. You are always quick to say hi when I say hello. You gave a great motivational speech to my daughters boyfriends Westminster football team when they were going to the championships last year and he will always remember that. You are a good person and a great role model for everyone. Keep up the good work. Congrats to you and your beautiful wife.
A man is a man…If you can do the job it doesnt matter if your gay, black, brown or white. I commend Michael Sam, Im not saying the road will be easy but it will get better and lead more men and women to come out into the open. This is america people land of the FREE and home of the Brave…Live it! And Love It!
You are one class act! Thanks for sharing your personal thoughts with your fans! We’ll take him! Goooo Ravens!
Very well said, Mr. Smith. Thank you for your strong, supportive voice.
Thanks Torrey. Proud to have you a part of Ravens’ Nation.
For you and Michael Sam I’m singing “Express yourself” Loved the line “I’m just using the phrase Mr. Goodell.” Smart man CYA!
I agree wholeheartedly that if Michael Sam is a great player that he shouldn’t in any way be judged because of his preference! I feel like the whole “gay rights movement” as some may mention is a modern day civil rights movement and that has just moved from one level of discrimination to another. Our society has to always categorize persons one way or the other! I really dont understand the satisfaction that is received from it?
[…] wide receiver Torrey Smith used a gay slur in a tweet in January, he blogged about his support for Sam, when he came out right after the Super […]