NFL television analyst and former coach Tony Dungy backed off Tuesday from comments he "wouldn't want to deal with" the diversions arising from drafting Michael Sam, who is hoping to become the league's first openly gay player, saying he was referring to media attention surrounding such a move.
Dungy, who was head coach of the Indianapolis Colts when they won the Super Bowl in 2007 and also coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, aroused criticism over the remarks about the rookie defensive end that were published in the Tampa Bay Tribune on Sunday.
"I wouldn't have taken him," Dungy told the paper. "Not because I don't believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play, but I wouldn't want to deal with all of it."