... Arceneaux stood out after he was questionable earlier i

Michael Sam will face a daunting set of challenges that most rookies dont have to deal with when making the already formidable jump from college to the NFL. Curtis Leskanic Jersey . The SECs co-defensive player of the year is about to find out if Americas most popular sport, rooted in machismo and entrenched in locker room hijinks, is ready for its first openly gay player. First, hell have to find a team willing to put up with the media circus that will surround him. Then, hell have to find acceptance like he did at Missouri, where his sexuality was a non-issue during a 12-2 season. Only now, hell face opponents and their fans who know hes gay. He might even face cheap shots and teammates hesitant to shower alongside him or undress in his presence. While several teams and coaches said Monday that Sams sexual orientation wouldnt affect his draft status, former NFL punter Chris Kluwe, who contends his championing of gay rights led to his release from the Minnesota Vikings last year, wasnt so sure. "The majority of players will be supportive of Michael Sam or just wont care," Kluwe said. "Youll have isolated guys here and there who might try to make a fuss about it, but players by and large are very much, Hey, were here to do a job, were here to go out and play football. "In terms of the coaching/front office side, I think theres where issues are going to arise because they are going to look at this like, Hey, is this going to cause a distraction for the team? And by distraction, they mean, Were not really OK with having a gay player on our team, we cant come out and say that, so were going to use the word distraction," Kluwe added. "And unfortunately, those are the people who determine if youre employed or not." John Elway has a unique perspective running the Broncos front office now after a Hall of Fame playing career, and he said Monday hed have no problem drafting Sam. "We will evaluate Michael just like any other draft prospect: on the basis of his ability, character and NFL potential. His announcement will have no effect on how we see him as a football player," Elway said. "Having spent 16 years in an NFL locker room, the bottom line is that its about treating others with respect and earning that respect. By all indications, it appears Michael has done just that throughout his football career." Several coaches said if a player is accountable and a winner, being gay is a non-issue. "If anybody can come in and help us win games and be successful -- black, white, yellow, straight, gay -- I dont think it matters," said new Green Bay quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt. Before Sam revealed his sexual orientation, the pass-rusher was projected as a mid-round draft pick. Kluwe said reports that Sams draft stock could drop because he revealed his sexual orientation "basically could have been lifted from any American sporting paper in the 1940s when Jackie Robinson was about to enter Major League Baseball. Its like weve been here before. Why do we have to keep doing the same thing?" Sam will likely face even more scrutiny from opponents fans than Chargers linebacker Manti Teo did after getting fooled by a hoax involving a fake girlfriend while at Notre Dame. What will help Sam is landing on a team with strong veteran leadership, something that was lacking in Miami, where tackle Jonathan Martin walked away at midseason, alleging guard Richie Incognito led daily harassment with racial, aggressive and sexually charged comments. Incognito was suspended for the final eight games and Martins career was thrown in limbo. Former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley said Sams performance on the field and as a teammate should quickly overshadow any stereotypes about sexual orientation. "I dont think he faces any challenges as a player. I dont think he faces a lot of challenges as a person," Cooley said. "I think once he establishes himself as the kind of teammate hes going to be, I think everybody will accept it fine." Eagles All-Pro guard Evan Mathis said Sam will face obstacles no matter what. "NFL players shouldnt judge Michael Sam based on his sexuality but some guys will. MLB players shouldnt have judged Jackie Robinson based on his skin colour but some did," Mathis said. "Whether or not the NFL is ready for it, it needs to happen. There are still people on this Earth who lived through the prohibition of alcohol and the Civil Rights movement. They can look back and reflect on how primitive those times were. "Current generations will look back at marijuana prohibition and gays having to fight for equal rights and think how primitive those times were." Colorado Rockies Shirts . The game marks the rare occasion when two homegrown running backs, Jon Cornish of the Calgary Stampeders and Andrew Harris of the B.C. Lions, will start in the West Divisions battle for a Grey Cup berth. Scott Oberg Jersey . Detroits powerful offence made that unnecessary. Scherzer allowed two hits and struck out seven, and the Tigers backed their star right-hander with three early homers in an 8-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/ . GQ Lundqvist quite well.Three rounds, and nearly two months later, will the Kings have the strength to reach the summit of the Empire State to claim the cup?Truer words have never been spoken.Kevin Glenn ended the B.C. Lions touchdown drought in fine fashion. Glenn threw for 261 yards and two TDs as the Lions downed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 26-9 on Saturday night at B.C. Place Stadium. "It feels a lot better coming out of the game scoring touchdowns than not scoring touchdowns," said Glenn. The Lions failed to score a touchdown in their 7-5 win a week earlier over Ottawa. And the game before that — a 20-16 loss to Saskatchewan on Aug. 24 — the Lions only touchdown was on a punt return by Tim Brown. Glenn, filling in for an injured Travis Lulay, delivered a solid, albeit unspectacular, effort as he completed 20 of 27 passes without tossing an interception. Glenn was playing his first game back as B.C.s starter since Lulay dislocated his shoulder against Ottawa. The Lions (7-4) posted their second consecutive win and took sole possession of fourth place in the West Division. The Bombers (6-6) were relegated to last place following their third straight loss. The Lions evened their home record at 3-3 in front of 27,754 fans at B.C. Place. It was the Lions first game back home since club president Dennis Skulskys guaranteed win was spoiled in last months loss to Saskatchewan, resulting in fans getting free tickets to another game. Despite the Lions using Jermarcus Hardrick, their fifth different starter at left offensive guard this season, Glenn went 14-of-15 in the first half and was only sacked twice. The Lions finished with 398 yards in net offence while never trailing and only being tied once, 3-3, in the early going. "The guys up front, Im really impressed," said Glenn. "They were challenged at the beginning of the week, and they took the challenge and they pursued it, and they came up on top." Andrew Harris and Emmanuel Arceneaux caught Glenns touchdown passes while Paul McCallum had three field goals and a convert. B.C.s remaining points came off a safety conceded by Winnipeg and a missed field goal as the hosts led from start to finish, avenging a home loss to the Bombers in July. Harris also had a strong night on the ground, rushing for 101 yards thanks to a late surge. He had produced only 55 yards in his previous two games combined. The Lions produced 163 rushing yards, which fell short of the 250-yard goal that Harris set for his squad during the week. But the Winnipeg native felt his public airing of the intention made a difference, because, he claimed, it resulted in steady trash talk from the Bombers. The Blue Bombers could only manage three field goals from rookie Lirim Hajrullahu. They lost starting quarterback Drew Willy to an undissclosed injury late in the first half. Raimel Tapia Jersey. "At the end of the day, its a big loss, because hes our leader," said Bombers offensive lineman Glenn January. Willy was replaced by rarely used Brian Brohm, who struggled amidst constant pressure from the B.C. defence and completed just six of 13 passes for 33 yards. January said the Bombers committed too many little mistakes that cost them. "B.C.s a very good team," he said. "Theyre a team that you dont want to play from behind on. Defensively, theyre like a pack of rabid dogs when theyve got the lead on you. We had the good start and we should have continued that the whole game." Glenn said he was "really impressed" with his offensive line. "They were challenged at the beginning of the week, and they took the challenge and they pursued it, and they came up on top," Glenn said. "They did a hell of a job blocking (on) the pass and runs." Winnipeg had only allowed a total of four first-quarter points in its previous seven games combined and had never trailed after the opening 15 minutes. The Blue Bombers remained true to form as the first quarter ended with the clubs tied 3-3. Just when it looked like they would have to continue a trend of settling for field goals, the Lions caught a break with an offside call on Winnipeg. Three plays later, Glenn connected on a four-yard touchdown with a wide-open Harris, who walked leisurely into the end zone untouched with only 45 seconds left before halftime. It was B.C.s first offensive touchdown since an Aug. 17 win in Toronto, leading to a 15-3 half-time lead. The Bombers lost Willy as he was injured while being sacked by Alex Bazzie. B.C. defensive lineman Khreem Smith also got his arms on Willy as he helped bring him down. Notes: B.C. lost receiver Courtney Taylor to a foot injury in the first half. He said it resulted after a Winnipeg defender stepped on him one play before he went out. …The Lions posted their 502nd franchise win and put their all-time record above .500 for the first time ever. … Willys injury means that starting QBs from all five West Division teams have been injured this season. Calgarys Bo Levi Mitchell was hurt earlier Saturday. … Lions general manager Wally Buono made the opening coin toss in recognition of his entry into the CFL Hall of Fame later this year. ... Jason Arakgi recorded his 150th career special-teams tackle on B.C.s first punt. He became the 12th CFLer to reach the milestone. ... Arceneaux stood out after he was questionable earlier in the week due to a finger injury suffered in practice. ' ' '