Yankee Manager: MLB Can Accept Out Player

The Yankee's manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday that Major League Baseball would welcome an openly gay player, just days after National Football League prospect Michael Same came out, the New York Daily News reports.

"I think so. I think our world has adjusted to that," Girardi said. "Obviously players want players that are going to help them win championships. That's what we want.

"You see that there's a lot of different cultures that come together," he continued. "There's different ethnic backgrounds, different financial backgrounds. I think players just want to win. Whoever the best players are in that clubhouse, get 'em in here."

Girardi's comments come not long after a number of NFL officials raised concerns over the league's first openly gay player and how he would integrate into the locker room and football culture.

"He's bringing baggage into your locker room," former NFL coach and current ESNP analyst Herm Edwards said, referring to Michael Sam. "Can the players handle the media attention they are going to get, when they get the question asked, 'are you okay with a gay teammate?'"

Eight anonymous NFL officials told Sports Illustrated that Sam's coming out was a mistake and would hurt him, even projecting he will not be drafted because of the media attention the athlete would bring the team.

Nevertheless, Sam has been lauded by a number of people, including Michelle Obama and the White House. Additionally, retired NFL receiver //www.edgeonthenet.com/news/sports/News/155271/nfl_stars_take_issue_with_criticisms_over_sam%E2%80%99s_coming_out|Donte' Stallworth and LGBT rights advocate and former NFL punter Chris Kluwe> both announced their support for Sam and called out the criticisms against the athlete.