NFL Writer Ira Kaufman, the reporter who interviewed Tony Dungy and wrote the story about Dungy not wanting to draft Michael Sam, joined Rock Riley on Bright House Sports Network's Press Box show to help clarify the controversy .

In an article published Sunday, July 20th, by the Tampa Tribune, former Buccaneers’ Head Coach Tony Dungy said he would not have drafted Sam, who is the first openly gay player in the NFL.

“I wouldn’t have taken him,” said Dungy, “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.”

"What's left unsaid, is that he's (Sam's) a marginal prospect and not worth the distraction." Kaufman said during the Press Box Show debate Monday night to help clear the air.

Despite the controversy surrounding him, the Rams selected Sam, the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, in the 7th round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

 Ira Kaufman and Tampa Bay Times Sports Columnist Tom Jones joined Rock Riley to discuss the topic. Click on the video stories link to watch the discussion.

UPDATE: Tony Dungy has released a statement in response to Ira Kaufman's report

"On Monday afternoon while on vacation with my family, I was quite surprised to read excerpts from an interview I gave several weeks ago related to this year’s NFL Draft, and I feel compelled to clarify those remarks.

I was asked whether I would have drafted Michael Sam and I answered that I would not have drafted him.  I gave my honest answer, which is that I felt drafting him would bring much distraction to the team. At the time of my interview, the Oprah Winfrey reality show that was going to chronicle Michael’s first season had been announced.

I was not asked whether or not Michael Sam deserves an opportunity to play in the NFL.  He absolutely does.

I was not asked whether his sexual orientation should play a part in the evaluation process.  It should not.

I was not asked whether I would have a problem having Michael Sam on my team.  I would not.

I have been asked all of those questions several times in the last three months and have always answered them the same way—by saying that playing in the NFL is, and should be, about merit.

The best players make the team, and everyone should get the opportunity to prove whether they’re good enough to play.  That’s my opinion as a coach.  But those were not the questions I was asked.

What I was asked about was my philosophy of drafting, a philosophy that was developed over the years, which was to minimize distractions for my teams.

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.  Unfortunately we are all seeing this play out now, and I feel badly that my remarks played a role in the distraction.

I wish Michael Sam nothing but the best in his quest to become a star in the NFL and I am confident he will get the opportunity to show what he can do on the field.

My sincere hope is that we will be able to focus on his play and not on his sexual orientation."