New York Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas has stated that he is unsure as to whether the NFL is ready for an openly gay player.
Thomas was speaking following Missouri State Draft prospect Michael Sam's announcement that he is gay earlier this week.
In an interview with the New York Post, devout Christian Thomas said that religion and politics may play a role within whichever locker room Sam enters into, and then it will be down to personal opinions and beliefs as to whether he is accepted.
"Being a follower of Christ and a strong Christian, obviously [being gay] is a sin, and I definitely don't believe in it," Thomas said. "But if you start bringing religion and politics into football it just gets ugly.
"I'm not saying he's selfish by any means, I know what he did is very courageous, a lot of people wouldn't do that, but at the same time no-one really knows how it will play out.
"You have to be able to take jokes and pranks and when you're dealing with somebody that is gay, to make any type of comment of that nature towards him or towards somebody else, you don't know if you're offending him. It will change a lot of things and I don't know if the league is ready for that."
Sam has received mostly positive support from the NFL and wider sporting community following his announcement.
Joe McPhee
