FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
CONTACT:
Brett Abrams : 516-841-1105 : brett@fitzgibbonmedia.com
Groups Applaud Michael Sam’s Courage, Remind Leagues and Fans that “Only Talent Should Matter”
Joint statement by Dr. Paul Song, executive chairman of the California-based CourageCampaign.org, and Brian Kitts, Co-Founder of the You Can Play Project, on news that Michael Sam might become the first openly-gay professional football player if drafted into the NFL:
“The NFL’s teams — and the teams of all professional sports leagues — need more athletes like Michael Sam, who have the courage and commitment to both excel at their sport and stand up for who they are. As the NFL draft approaches, we urge coaches and team leaders to remember that the only thing that should matter on the field is talent.
We applaud Michael and wish him the best in all of his future endeavors on and off the field. It is people like Michael Sam who, through their actions, are paving the way for a new, more accepting world where people are judged on their talents and not their sexual orientation.”
The You Can Play Project is dedicated to the eradication of homophobia in sports by promoting diversity and inclusion among athletes and fans. As reported by the New York Times, a presentation featuring You Can Play at the University of Missouri last summer became the means Michael Sam used to come out as gay to teammates and coaches. Members of the Courage Campaign honored the You Can Play Project, co-founder Patrick Burke and advisory board member Brian Burke in 2012 during the second annual Spirit of Courage Awards and provided funding to underwrite programs like the presentation in Columbia, Missouri.
For more information, or interviews with CourageCampaign.org, please contact Brett Abrams at 516-841-1105 or by email at brett@fitzgibbonmedia.com.
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