Tony Dungy is backtracking and clarifying remarks that has created a wave of media backlash and social media scrutiny.

The backlash stems from comments made by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis mentor to the Tampa Tribune saying that Michal Sam's sexual orientation would create a distraction for the team that will draft or employ him. Sam is the first openly gay National Football League player drafted in the seventh round of the NFL draft who is looking for an opportunity to strut his wares in the professional league.

Dungy's clarifications on his controversial comments come as he tries to explain that Sam, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams, absolutely should be given the opportunity to play in the NFL.

"I do not believe Michael's sexual orientation will be a distraction to his teammates or his organization. I do, however, believe that the media attention that comes with it will be a distraction," Dungy said as per ESPN.com.

The initial opinion of Dungy stemming from his reluctance to take Sam if ever he had an opportunity to mentor him came as a surprise when the NBC analyst himself broke through a lot of social stereotypes during his days as both player and mentor. He played in the 1970s in the NFL when racism was still a major wall in the league. He was also the first African American coach to hoist the Super Bowl in the tenured history of the NFL.

Recently, he also defended Michael Vick and supported his re-entry into the league when the Philadelphia Eagles signed him. His support of Vick was understandable given that he acted as his mentor. He even made personal efforts to approach teams and convince them to sign Vick which is now a puzzle to spectators given that he is looking at the entry of the NFL's first openly gay draftee as a distraction.

While the controversial former player/coach has clarified his stance on the issue, the latest comments of Dungy put the spotlight back on Michael Sam who is scheduled to appear at training camp Tuesday.