McCarthy and Gibson say they would support a gay player

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-- Missouri All-American defensive lineman Michael Sam's decision to reveal Sunday that he is gay has spurred a discussion throughout the sporting world.

D-backs pitcher Brandon McCarthy offered Sam his support on Twitter on Sunday night and reiterated it through the media Monday.

"I think it's a good thing," McCarthy said. "I don't know if it's a cascading effect, but I'm hoping more people are getting more comfortable with it. I think the ultimate hope is that everyone gets to be themselves.

"It's hard enough to play professional sports and do this when you feel comfortable and I can't imagine how difficult it is if you feel like you can't be yourself and be the person you want to be. I'm just glad from his side he just gets to be the person he wants to be and hopefully now is just judged as a football player instead of everything else."

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said he thinks his team would be supportive if one of its players made a similar revelation.

"I don't think it would be an issue in our locker room at all," Gibson said.