Just when you start to think that the sports world is settling down into a boring state of being, some story always seems to pop up.

Oddly enough, we got two in one weekend.

What would have normally been a widely-discussed story was all but forgotten when Monday morning rolled around. Oklahoma State star point guard Marcus Smart got into a tussle with a fan, which would later result in a three-game suspension, during OSU’s Saturday night showdown with Texas Tech.

But, like I said, that soon became old news.

Early Sunday night, a story broke on ESPN which rocked not only the sports world, but just about anyone in-tune with national media.

In an Outside the Lines interview with Chris Connelly, University of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam announced that he was gay, setting himself up to become the first openly gay NFL player.

A PLAYER, NOT ACTIVIST

Sam spent the 2013 season establishing himself as an elite defender in one of the best defensive conferences in college football, the Southeastern Conference. He racked up 50 tackles and 11.5 sacks for the Tigers, earning first team All-SEC and All-American honors.

Needless to say, the kid has great potential. Despite the press that has surrounded Sam and his announcement, he views himself in a specific role.

“Jason Collins is an activist. Wade Davis is an activist. I see myself as a football player,” Sam said in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

Collins, who played for six teams over his career and is currently a free agent, came out in early May 2013, making him the first active openly gay athlete in the four major American sports. Davis was on several practice squads in the NFL from 2000 to 2003 before retiring due to injuries. The defensive back came out in 2012. Sam will become the first openly gay athlete to play and be on a team in one of the four major sports.

The controversy of an openly gay athlete has been a hot topic in recent years, especially with the media. Some have pointed out that the locker room provides uncomfortable situations for certain team members.

In an interview with NFL Network, New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma said, “Imagine if he’s the guy next to me and I get dressed naked, taking a shower, the whole nine [yards], and it just so happens he looks at me. How am I supposed to respond?”

It appears though that while Vilma’s comments may represent a small portion, most players could care less about their teammates sexuality and more about something else.

REACTIONS MIXED

The Carolina Panthers’ running back DeAngelo Williams took to Twitter on Sunday night, saying, “I could care less about a man’s sexual preference! I care about winning games and being respectful in the locker room!”

While many have pointed out that Sam has the potential to change the NFL and encourage more open views to many who follow the game, the reality is Sam’s sexual orientation has no effect on how he physically performs and plays the game.

With the NFL draft fast approaching, it will be interesting to see where the dice fall with Sam. He is projected as a mid-round pick, somewhere in the third or fourth round, although there is speculation

Throughout the whole process, Sam seems to have been unfazed aside from knowing what he wants.

“I just want to go to the team who drafts me,” Sam said Sunday night to ESPN. “Because that team knows about me, knows that I’m gay, and also knows that I work hard. That’s the team I want to go to.”

You can be sure that he’s going to go out there with the same mentality and schedule as hundreds of other draft prospects.

He’ll go to the Combine. He’ll workout with teams. The media will likely be all over him. And then, a few months from now on draft day, when his name is called, Sam will become the first openly gay active professional football player.

Whether you agree with him or not, Michael Sam is headed towards one of the biggest stages in the world, ready to show the NFL and America just the type of player and person he can be.