Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians has revealed that the decision of Michael Sam to come out as gay will not be a problem in the locker room, but could be with supporters.
The former Missouri Tigers defensive end revealed that he is gay earlier this month ahead of the 2014 NFL Draft and will be the first openly homosexual player to feature in the league if selected in May.
Arians told reporters: "None of that matters in the locker room. Every locker room I've been in, it's been all about winning. If you had a hand in us winning, and you were different, guys accepted it.
"Fans? That's a very different story. I've walked into stadiums where gentlemen are teaching their sons how to moon the bus and moms are teaching their daughters what their middle fingers are for, and it's not a ring.
"That scares me more, what's going to be said from the stands. The locker room won't be a problem."
Sam has admitted that he wants to judged on his ability alone ahead of the Draft.
Simon Sinclair
