Jeff Fisher responds to Jon Gruden’s comment about former Mizzou star Michael Sam
It seems former Raiders coach Jon Gruden watched in apparent disgust when the St. Louis Rams selected Michael Sam, the SEC co-Defensive Player of the Year, in the 2014 NFL Draft.
That came to light after a New York Times story on emails Gruden sent to former Washington team president Bruce Allen. Gruden unloaded on commissioner Roger Goodell.
Gruden wrote that Goodell was “anti football” and used a gay slur about him.
According to the Times story, Gruden also used a homophobic slur after writing Goodell should not have pressured Jeff Fisher to draft Sam.
Fisher, who was the Rams coach at the time, sought to set the record straight Tuesday about why he and the Rams drafted Sam with the 249th overall pick.
On Twitter, Fisher shared a statement about the reasons for drafting Sam.
“Michael Sam was the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, and we selected him in the 2014 NFL Draft based on his defensive production and pass rushing skill set on the field,” Fisher wrote.
“As a head coach for over 20 years, we drafted or didn’t draft, players based on a variety of qualities. Their sexual orientation would never — and should never — play a part in the decision-making process.”
“I continue to support Michael, and his decision to come out as the first draft eligible openly gay player in the league. It took courage to serve as a role model for those competitive football players who may also happen to be gay.
“Lastly, the NFL never encouraged or discouraged me regarding the selection of a potential prospect.”
Fisher coached the Rams from 2012-16. The first four seasons were in St. Louis and the final one was in Los Angeles. Before that, Fisher coached the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1994-2010.
