Sam Newman sparks outrage over comments on openly gay NFL player Michael Sams kiss
10 minutes ago May 15, 2014 11:02AM
SAM Newman, long known for being the bastion of sensitivity and respect, has done it again with his comments on the NFLs first openly gay player.
He once sported a black face and even pretended to smoke a bong on TV, now Newman has struck again, this time calling a kiss between a rising sporting star and his same-sex partner gratuitous.
The kiss between 24-year-old Michael Sam and his partner went around the globe after causing shock waves across the US and also, apparently, here.
The rising NFL star, who was drafted by the St Louis Rams earlier this week, was so happy at being selected he celebrated the way anyone would by plonking a kiss on his partners lips.
What should have been a lovely moment between two people was instead seen as annoying and wrong by Newman.
It was an annoying, gratuitous act, Newman said on Wednesday nights The Footy Show. Kissing your boyfriend ... No heterosexual couple would do that.
But Newman, who is often known for his controversial statements and acts, was quickly shot down by fellow show hosts Garry Lyon and James Brayshaw, who at one point called him homophobic and said thats what anyone would do.
But Newman, 68, was unrepentant, saying no heterosexual couple would do that.
Really?
His fellow show hosts pointed out it was a perfectly natural reaction from someone who has heard they had been selected in Americas biggest football league.
Lyon asked if he had ever watched a draft before, while Brayshaw went one step further, calling him homophobic.
Youre off the pace on this, he told Newman.
Its a natural thing to do.
The comments didnt sit well with the audience and sparked quite the reaction on Twitter.
Other people didnt seem surprised.
Some users even went as far as to call for his resignation from the popular Channel Nine show.
Naturally, his reaction wasnt well received in the sporting world either.
Corey Irlam Victorian Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby Co-convenor slammed Newmans remarks, calling them not only outdate but adding they had no place in modern sport.
Sam Newman, yet again, shows himself to be a part of the old guard of sports. Out of touch and not up to date with the evolving acceptance within Australias football community, he said.
|If Sams uncomfortable watching two men kiss, change the channel - just the same as many viewers of the Footy Show wouldve done last night because of Sams rant.
It wouldnt be the first time Newman has sparked controversy with his outrageous comments.
In 1999, Newman blacked up his face to impersonate indigenous footballer Nicky Winmar on The Footy Show, sparking outrage.
Ten years later he was at it again when he compared a Malaysian man to a monkey, saying he was not long out of the forest.
In 2008, he was at the centre of a sexism row when he quipped: We couldnt get her on, could we? regarding Tasmanian MP Paula Wriedt.
The remark sparked a reaction by co-hosts Brayshaw and Lyon, before Newman continued: Its worthy of coming on her.
He later said he was deeply embarrassed and phoned her to apologise.
Channel Nine has been contacted for comment over Newmans remarks.
