Extreme Christian lobbyist threatens 'relentless national boycott' of whichever NFL team drafts openly gay rookie Michael Sam

Jack Burkman says he has political support for bill but didn't name names



Urges Congress to find 'values and morals' for National Football League

Michael Sam could become the first openly homosexual player in the NFL

Sam said he 'knows how to handle himself' if drafted by the Miami Dolphins



An influential Christian lobbyist has said he is planning to build a 'national coalition' to relentlessly boycott any team that drafts gay NFL prospect Michael Sam.

Jack Burkman, head of the Washington, D.C. lobbying firm J.M. Burkman & Assoc., said he would 'leverage his political clout' to ensure that the franchise that selects the player would get 'roughed up financially.'

The draft is taking place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, meaning 6ft 2in defensive end Sam could be picked tonight.

'Horrifying prospect': Washington Lobbyist Jack Burkman (left) said he was prompted to draft a bill that bans gay players from the NFL after college star Michael Sam (right) came out a few weeks ago

Michael Sam faced a crowded press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium 'We shall exercise our First Amendment rights and shall not stop until the drafting NFL franchise cannot sell a single ticket, jersey or autographed football,' said Burkman. 'In short, we shall be relentless.'

Burkman claims in the release that he is currently mobilizing 'powerful grassroots organizations in 27 of the 50 states,' as well as a 'coalition of Evangelical Christian leaders from across the nation to take part in a protest if Sam is drafted.'

He has also said he is drafting a bill that would ban gay players from joining the National Football League. RELATED ARTICLES Previous

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Next 'Do you know what gluten is'? Jimmy Kimmel catches out... Five boys who cut school rescued from fast-moving high water... Share this article Share Burkman said he came up with the idea after college football star Michael Sam publicly came out a few weeks ago. In a statement, he said: 'We are losing our decency as a nation. Imagine your son being forced to shower with a gay man. 'That's a horrifying prospect for every mom in the country. What in the world has this nation come to?'

'If someone wants to call me a name, I will have a conversation with that guy and hopefully it won't lead to nothing else,' Sam said

Sam also said he was surprised by the support he received from staff and students at the University of Missouri, who he says have come up to him on campus to hug him Burkman said he has political support for the legislation, but his statement did not name specific lawmakers. Urging Congress to act, he added: 'If the NFL has no morals and no values, then Congress must find values for it.' JM Burkman & Associates, which signed 70 new clients last year, specialises in helping companies secure contracts with the federal government, it was reported by The Hill.

On Saturday, Sam, the NFL's first openly gay draft prospect, appeared publicly at the league's scouting combine -- and during a press conference said he would be excited if drafted by the Miami Dolphins which has recently been subject to a bullying scandal.

Wearing a rainbow with the words 'Stand with Sam' on a pin given to him by a fan, he said: 'If the Miami Dolphins drafted me I will be excited to be a part of that organization, but I'm not thinking about going into that environment.' 'I know how to handle myself. I know how to communicate with my teammates,' he continued. 'I know how to communicate with the coaches and know the staff, whoever I need to communicate with.' He also said that he would confront other players if they had issues with his sexual orientation. 'If someone wants to call me a name, I will have a conversation with that guy and hopefully it won't lead to nothing else,' Sam said.

If drafted, Michael Sam will be the first openly gay football player in the NFL

Sam also was open about the media's interest in his sexuality.



'Heck yeah, I wish you guys would tell me, "Michael Sam, how's football going, how's training going?"' 'I would love for you to ask me that question, but it is what it is.'

'And I just wish you guys would see me as Michael Sam, the football player, instead of Michael Sam, the gay football player.'

Sam said he was 'kind of surprised' the support he received at the University of Missouri since coming out. He described being hugged and kissed by faculty and students on campus.



'A lot of people want this. There's just a lot of support out there,' he said.

When asked if he felt like a trailblazer, Sam said 'I feel like I'm Michael Sam.'



Proud: Michael Sam's father said Monday that, while he didn't know his son was gay, he loves him no matter what

Strong: Missouri senior defensive lineman Michael Sam speaks to the media during an NCAA college football news conference in Irving, Texas. Sam says he is gay, and he could become the first openly homosexual player in the NFL

Though there has been some doubt over what position Michael Sam would be drafted for, he explained that he is simply a pass rusher. He listed ex-NFL player Michael Strahan as an example of a good pass rusher but that he wanted to make a name for himself.

Sam recently also sent his father a text with two words: 'I'm gay.'

Michael Sam Sr said he had no idea of his son's sexuality but that he fully supports the University of Missouri star's decision to come out.

The dad even made light about the revelation, initially, according to NBC news, saying: 'Well, you could have wished me a happy birthday first.'

The 55-year-old, a disabled truck driver who lives in a nursing home in Texas, said his son called him later in the evening to talk about it.

'I was shocked because I didn't see it,' the father told NBC. 'I mean, you see your kids, but you don't suspect that.

'I said was he sure, and he said he was. He's in control and he's grown. No matter what, he's my son and I still love him.'

The proud father said he has no doubt his boy is capable of weathering any criticism he might face, adding that from an early eage Michael 'wanted to make something of himself'.



Sam Sr has joined a chorus of support for the brave decision made by the defensive linesman, who could become the first openly homosexual NFL player if he is selected for the league later this year.



Michelle Obama, along with some of the biggest names in the NFL, have also sent congratulatory messages.

'You're an inspiration to all of us,' the first lady wrote to Sam on Twitter.

'We couldn't be prouder of your courage both on and off the field.'

'Thank you for your kind words,' he responded. 'Humbled by your support.'



'#respect bro,' Richie Incognito of the Miami Dolphons sent Sam on Twitter. 'It takes guts to do what you did. I wish u nothing but the best.'



Jonathan Martin, who has had his fair share of struggles in recent months following the Dolphins' alleged bullying scandal, added: 'Hats off to you Michael Sam, that takes some guts #respect.'

Tom Crabtree of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers added: 'Good for Michael Sam. Takes courage for where he is in his career and where we are as a league. I applaud him.'

The comments section in his Facebook page was also inundated with people praising him as a 'positive role model for many' and thanking him for his 'brave and class act'.

Proud: Michelle Obama tweeted a message of support to Michael Sam, commending his decision Response: Sam responded to the first lady on Twitter, thanking her for her support Support: Members of the NFL, including Martin and Incognito of the Miami Dolphins, also supported him But while they offered their support, hundreds of internet trolls bombarded Sam with a slew of personal attacks, while senior sport insiders warned his decision could ruin his professional career.

His announcement provoked a particularly strong backlash from religious sectors. Within hours of his announcement, the Missouri defensive lineman was told he was 'hellbound' and he was part of a 'gay commercial being shoved down children's throats'. One internet user called Anco Andrede said: 'If you accept homosexualitys (sic) you are hellbound for eternity with no chance of escape when the demons rip you apart and put you together again and torture you forever...'

The poster also demanded that he 'repent to God almighty or you will go there [Hell] forever.' Another added that Sam should now be required to use other shower facilities in the locker room.

Game mode: In an image taken last month, Sam warms up before the Cotton Bowl NCAA football game

However, the vast majority of comments were positive and welcomed news that a top sportsman had the courage to come out.

But it was not just the darker realms of the internet which reacted angrily to Sam's revelations.



Several NFL insiders said the news that he was gay had done serious damage to his career prospects in the top-flight American football league and harmed his earning potential.

An NFL assistant coach, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Sports Illustrated it was 'not a smart move'.

Another insider added: 'I don't think football is ready for [an openly gay player] just yet.

'In the coming decade or two, it's going to be acceptable, but at this point in time it's still a man's-man game. To call somebody a [gay slur] is still so commonplace. It'd chemically imbalance an NFL locker room and meeting room.'

Coming out: Missouri All-American Michael Sam says he is gay, and the defensive end could become the first openly homosexual player in the NFL

Sin: One twitter user attacked the NFL prospect as someone who was being 'praised for sin'

'Hellbound': Other postings on YouTube said Michael Sam would be 'hellbound' and would be ripped apart by demons for being gay Abuse: Some internet users took to the comments section under the YouTube video of Michael Sam coming out to launch a torrent of abuse

A number of senior figures thought the massive media attention now brought upon Sam, especially until the NFL draft on May 8, could harm his chances of being picked by a top team for the next season.

Missouri's All-American defensive lineman, 23, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound senior, released a series of coordinated interviews with The New York Times and ESPN's Outside the Lines program on Sunday.



'I'm Michael Sam. I'm a football player and I'm gay,' Sam said in the video posted online. 'I just want to own my truth before anyone breaks a story about me.'

He went on to say that when he first spoke with his teammates about his sexuality last August, they rallied around him and supported him.



'We admire Michael Sam's honesty and courage,' the NFL said in a statement.



Respect: In interviews with ESPN, The New York Times and Outsports that were published Sunday, Michael Sam said his teammates and coaches at Missouri have known since August.

'Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014.'

Representatives for Sam had been letting NFL teams aware that he was planning to come out before this month's NFL scouting combine.

No NFL player has ever announced publicly he is gay while his career is active. Former players including Esera Tuaolo have admitted they are gay after retiring.



TEAMMATES KEPT SEXUALITY SECRET FOR FIVE YEARS Michael Sam's sexuality had apparently been an open secret since August last year. But a close teammate has told how the secret was kept much longer than that.

Missouri linebacker Donovan Bonner has been a teammate of Sam's for five years.

'We knew of his status for five years and not one team member, coach, or staff member said anything says a lot about our family atmosphere,' Bonner tweeted.

Sam said many people at the college all-star game for NFL prospects seemed to know that he was gay.



Before coming out to all his teammates and coaches, Sam said he told a few close friends and dated another Missouri athlete who was not a football player.

'Coaches just wanted to know a little about ourselves, our majors, where we're from, and something that no one knows about you,' Sam said.