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It isn't surprising Steelers safety Ryan Clark was asked to weigh in on the recent announcement by draft prospect Michael Sam that he's gay.
Clark shared a message of tolerance, provided any openly gay player is committed to winning in the same manner as his teammates. Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis shared that same message, according to ESPN's Scott Brown.
Steelers back-up quarterback Landry Jones offered a bit more insight on the topic in May of 2013. Jones, a deeply religious person, doesn't think there would be an issue with a gay teammate, even if some of those teammates aren't in support of the lifestyle.
"There's not a conflict," Jones told Out Sports not long after the Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.. "People are people and God tells us to love everybody. And so that's what I do.
"Now, do I condone what they're doing? No, I don't think it's right...(but) It doesn't matter if you're gay or if you're straight. If you can play the game of football, you're going to be on a team and you're going to have a job. Just like if you're in a regular business setting. If you can do your job well, you can do your job. You can get paid and earn a living and provide for your family, whatever your family looks like."
It's an interesting, if not controversial, take on the subject. It stands in a slight bit of contrast to what Clark said. Jones conveyed acceptance, but admitted he doesn't feel "it's right."
Jones didn't play in 2014, his first year in the league, as he is being groomed to be the team's back-up quarterback over the next few seasons. He had a rocky preseason as he adjusted to pick up the pro game after a prolific statistical career at the University of Oklahoma.
Sam is considered to be a mid-round prospect as a defensive end or an outside linebacker. He was named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC in 2013.
