LEFTOVERS: Revelation by son leads dad to drink
The father of openly gay draft prospect Michael Sam admitted to the New York Times in a story Tuesday he’s not fully comfortable with his son’s sexual orientation.
What the elder Sam should be embarrassed about is his choice in dining establishments.
Sam Sr. said he was eating at Denny’s when he received a text from his son last Tuesday that got right to the point.
“Dad, I’m gay.”
The younger Sam was clearly trying to let his parents in on the news before it exploded on the Internet on Sunday with a New York Times profile and “Outside The Lines” interview. He probably should have picked a better way to let them in on his secret.
Still, Sam Sr. could have taken it better.
“I couldn’t eat no more, so I went to Applebee’s to have drinks,” Sam Sr. told the newspaper. “I don’t want my grandkids raised in that kind of environment.”
First of all, somebody’s going to have to break some very sensitive news to Mr. Sam about how babies are made.
But did he really just leave Denny’s to go to Applebee’s? Is that really the best he can do? Can he be any more generic with his choices?
Sad, just sad.
But not as sad as Sam Sr. telling the paper he is “old-school” and a “man-and-woman type of guy.” The idea of a homosexual player in the NFL bothers him, even when that person could be his own son.
He believes a great masculine defensive lineman like Deacon Jones, who is credited with coining the term sack, “is turning over in his grave.”
Sam Sr. did make it clear he loves his son and is rooting for him to succeed.
That’s nice.
Maybe if his son ever makes a Pro Bowl, he will take him to TGI Friday’s to celebrate.
■ STREAK HALTED — There was a lot of talk coming out of Sochi about a great American streak coming to an end.
No, it had nothing to do with that ho-hum run of gold medals won by snowboarder Shaun White being snapped with his disappointing turn in the halfpipe.
The real disaster happened when Bob Costas announced he would not host NBC’s Olympic primetime coverage on Tuesday night. He had been in the host chair for every primetime Olympic broadcast on NBC since 1988, a remarkable run covering 157 broadcasts.
Costas has an eye infection that has been all the rage on social media since the first broadcast of the Games last Thursday.
“Today” show host Matt Lauer stepped in for Costas, news that Costas broke on Lauer’s show Tuesday morning.
Lauer asked Costas how his eye was feeling.
“Well, even worse than when you saw me this morning, Sochi time,” Costas said. “So, reluctantly, I was trying to throw a complete game here, but I think we’re going to have to go to the bullpen. I don’t know if you’re aware of this or not, but you’re Mariano Rivera, at least tonight.”
Lauer accepted the role, with one condition.
“I’m happy to keep his chair warm, although I might Purell it before I sit in it.”
That’s a good idea. He might not want to shower with the Sochi water, either.
COMPILED BY ADAM HILL LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
