ESPN survey: 86% of NFL players say sexual orientation doesn't matter

ESPN conducted an anonymous survey last week of 51 active NFL players asking four questions regarding the possibility of an openly gay player being drafted and playing in the league.

Fifty-one players, almost an entire team roster, responded to four true-false questions. Although the survey showed that most players aren't concerned with another's sexual orientation, it also made clear the concerns that players would have with learning how to relate to an openly gay teammate.

Forty-four players said a teammate's sexual orientation didn't matter to them, and 39 said they would be comfortable showering around a gay teammate. But 32 players said they had teammates or coaches who used homophobic slurs last season, and when asked whether an openly gay player would be comfortable in a NFL locker room, just 25 players said yes; 21 said no, while five declined to answer.

University of Missouri's Michael Sam came out last week amid much fanfare as he's expected to be drafted in the third to fifth rounds this coming May. He was SEC co-Defensive Player of the Year and led his conference in tackles and sacks.