Michael Sam will face a daunting set of challenges that most
rookies don't have to deal with when making the already
formidable jump from college to the NFL.  The SEC's co-defensive
player of the year is about to find out if America's most
popular sport, rooted in machismo and entrenched in locker room
hijinks, is ready for its first openly gay player.  First, he'll
have to find a team willing to put up with the media circus that
will surround him. Then, he'll have to find acceptance like he
did at Missouri, where his sexuality was a non-issue during a
12-2 season. Only now, he'll face opponents and their fans who
know he's 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 Sam's sexual
orientation wouldn't 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, wasn't so
sure.  "The majority of players