The Eagle Has Landed

The behind-the-scenes story of how NFL prospect Michael Sam came out:

The plan was set. The story would break right after the NFL Combine simultaneously on ESPN, The New York Times and Outsports. There might be a couple interviews after that, but otherwise Sam would focus on football.

The timing, however, would quickly change. Even as the plan was being formulated, it was like outrunning an avalanche. Every day it became more apparent that too many people knew what was coming. While Collins had kept his coming out a secret held among just a few trusted confidants, Sam’s sexual orientation would soon become the worst-kept secret in the sports media.

Source: outsports.com
Published: Feb 9, 2014
Length: 14 minutes (3,583 words)