Michael Sam Discussion

[Angry Ram]

Meh. It's harmless. The Rams gave Michael Sam his own personal special press conference time. Obviously they know what a story this is, and knew what they were getting themselves into.

Also, I don't think this is a circus. A circus is when there's drama, dissension, etc. in the team b/w players, coaches, and/or owners. I don't see that here.

 

[duckhunter]

Wait, MS cut this deal before the draft? MS just knew that the OWN people wanted to do a documentary on him, or was he an active participant in some sort of media deal where he gets paid? Do we know?

The Great Karnak, seer, mystery solver, heavenly prognosticator, horse book maker, provides the latest from his cracked crystal ball.

If OWN has been negotiating for two months as one article said and just now closed the deal, it's probably a couple of mill deal. MS would have a law firm working for him to close a deal of this magnitude.

Was this baked up possibly in the Mo law school for some time? The words historic, black, gay rights, civil rights, honorable and others just drive up the settlement amounts.

As an example of crazy numbers, big dollar firms are getting $100M to $150M in personal injury settlements just last month in California and the injuries were neglible.

If you've never seen a zoo case like this could be with multiple participants, you need to. Everyone is happy in silk suits and the judge and everyone are having a gay old time because someone else is paying for the party.

Since I would think the brains are in Columbia and not MS, when the shit hits the fan, I can see at some point litigant cases started in Chicago by OWN(oprah can't lose in Chitown), the big guns with NCAAP, labor interests, and gay right activist in DC (they can't lose in DC), MS's personal injustices cases in Texas. All parties, maybe as many as 10 or so, including the NFL and rams will have representation in all venues. They'll lasso them all up in DC eventually because they'll try to work thru courts at various locations with the objective of getting it in front of the Supreme Court which at that time Congress and Justice will add to the participant list trying to strike deals between litigants.

Or MS and the others could just accept whatever Jeff said. Doubt it.

That will be 25 cents for this reading.

 

[RamFan503]

What do you mean? That if Sam is cut they will cry foul because of his Sexual preference? That wont stick. If so they would have to prove that every player cut was cut for some reason other than football ability.

Since when has proof been a requirement. Seriously. It just isn't in the circus that will follow. It's sad and Oprah is wanting to do this for no other reason than ratings. Reality has nothing to do with it.

 

[RamFan503]

Yep. This was a mistake. He could have easily told OWN that he'd prefer they cover him after the season is over, and after he makes whichever team drafts him. That would very clearly demonstrate that he has no other goals right now. This is a little disappointing.

A little disappointing? Yeah I think I know what you're saying but this has become a real problem before it really began. Just goes to show that no good deed goes unpunished.

I couldn't agree more that this deal shouldn't even be considered until after the end of the season. There is some real fishiness with this whole thing and the Rams are the fall guys for an NFL agenda. Bank on it. Especially in light of the Miami deal and with what Goodsmell has been up to. This is the NFL wanting to showcase their PCness at the expense of the Rams who they have already proven they couldn't give two shits about by putting them in Seattle for the season finale 4 out of the last 5 years (and so many other examples). What a bunch of crap.

 

[mr.stlouis]

This is a bit more than I expected...

If he's really focused on football then isn't documenting him the same as filming any other hard working football player??? NO... because this one is gay. So much for "not suppose to matter." It's not like there's a double standard or anything.

All I know is he has to play pretty well to make this team and I hope a distraction like this isn't enough to tip the scale in a bad way.

 

[mr.stlouis]

You know, he just might do that. And that would be great.

No he won't! I thought he was a media whore before we drafted him and allowing something like this only fuels it. This circus is THE ONLY reason I didn't want him. It is distracting.

But hey, he's well worth a measly late 7th rounder.

Remember David Vabora? He sucked and was drafted at nearly the same slot as Sam. So we did good with the pick, I just don't wanna hear all the crying by non-football fans if he's cut. Oprah can put her name down on the list of reasons why he is...

 

[leagueofshadows]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...infrey-network-to-air-michael-sam-documentary
Oprah Winfrey Network to air Michael Sam documentary

• 
• By Chase Goodbread
• College Football 24/7 writer
• Published: May 14, 2014 at 06:12 p.m.
• Updated: May 14, 2014 at 06:24 p.m

The Oprah Winfrey Network will broadcast a documentary series on St. Louis Rams rookie defensive end Michael Sam's efforts to make the team as the NFL's first openly gay player.

Sam was chosen in the seventh round of the NFL draft Saturday with the No. 249 overall pick



"We are honored that Michael is trusting us with his private journey in this moment that has not only made history, but will shape it forever," Winfrey said in a prepared statement. "I am proud of the focus on authentic storytelling in our new documentary series format. The next real-life story we follow in 'The Untitled Michael Sam Project' promises to spark valuable, important discussion on life in America today. Acceptance and illumination start here."

The release from OWN did not indicate when the series would launch. Sam, for his part, said his focus will remain on football and making the Rams roster. That won't be easy, with two of the NFL's better defensive ends -- Robert Quinn and Chris Long -- already in place at his position.

"Like every player out there working to make a team right now, my focus is on playing football to the very best of my ability," Sam said. "I am determined. And if seeing my story helps somebody else accept who they are and to go for their dreams too, that's great. I am thankful to Oprah for her support and excited to work together."

Sam told the Missouri football team he is gay last August during a team-building exercise at fall camp, but the news did not become public until Sam announced it in the weeks between his appearance at the Reese's Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine in February. Speculation on his draft status ranged from the fourth round to undrafted, but he ultimately became the league's first openly gay draftee with seven picks left.

Since then, Sam jerseys have been in great demand, with sales topping those of No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney among NFL rookies.

Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.

I'm bored of this stuff already and it's been less than a week.

 

[leagueofshadows]

I realise you have to look out for yourself but your suggesting he should just use the rams as a stepping stone. Not sure I'm down with that.

 

[bluecoconuts]

Some of you guys seem a bit harsh here. You look forward to when he's cut? You want him gone now? Why? He's still a Ram and he will be until he turns in his playbook. If cameras follow him around, which I'm pretty sure anyone with a brain knew was going to happen regaedless, who cares? If he's not focused on football then he doesn't make the team, if he is then he will. End of story.

If the Rams can't handle this then they're not ready for the playoffs or a championship. Simple as that.

Quite a few of the comments from some people seem to indicate they're rooting for Sam to fail. That's disappoiting to say the least.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Since when has proof been a requirement. Seriously. It just isn't in the circus that will follow. It's sad and Oprah is wanting to do this for no other reason than ratings. Reality has nothing to do with it.

They would have to prove that Sam was cut because he was gay. I don't think they could, especially since he was hired with the knowledge that he was gay.

I agree about Oprah. Everyone that loves her overlooks her exploitations willingly but she has gotten filthy off of them. I have no interest in her shows and don't support her on this front.

 

[shaunpinney]

The truth
Lets be honest about it, SOMEONE was going to make a documentary about the first openly gay player to be drafted - it's sensationalisation it's what the media enjoys, (the same thing happened when the jets tried out that female punter - didn't that work out well ) and ANY team drafting Michael Sam would have known this would be the case, they are not naïve in the world of business and media, so i guess I'd rather that MS and the Rams were a part of it than not - and ANY team knew that they were drafting a lot of media attention if they drafted Sam. It works on MANY levels, having the Rams in the media means, potential bums on seats, more jerseys sold etc etc etc....

What it does
Having MS on our team does do one thing - it does deflect. Lets hope that it gives the team some breathing space, that the press, in search of a St. Louis Rams story, don't want to stick the knife into Bradford's throwing arm, adding unnecessary pressure on our QB to deliver and gives him the time to just go out there and play. Maybe in a weird way MS can be our Sherman, the person the press covet

Footnote
Also, football players are in the media spotlight whether they deserve it or not and I'd rather have a Michael Sam being talked about in the press than an Aaron Hernandez as a Ram...

 

[Ramhusker]

Some of you guys seem a bit harsh here. You look forward to when he's cut? You want him gone now? Why? He's still a Ram and he will be until he turns in his playbook. If cameras follow him around, which I'm pretty sure anyone with a brain knew was going to happen regaedless, who cares? If he's not focused on football then he doesn't make the team, if he is then he will. End of story.

If the Rams can't handle this then they're not ready for the playoffs or a championship. Simple as that.

Quite a few of the comments from some people seem to indicate they're rooting for Sam to fail. That's disappoiting to say the least.

Yes, I would want MS to fail if his agenda is going to hurt the Rams and I would want that failure to come quickly. I hope this is all just a misunderstanding and all the kid wants is to play football exactly as he has stated. Then, of course, being a Rams fan for the past 40+ years, I'd want him to make the Pro Bowl and wear Super Bowl rings (with Bighorns on them) on every damn finger!!!!!!!

 

[LumberTubs]

If Michael Sam has agreed to this (which he presumably has because the OWN statement appears to quote him) then it goes some way to undermining all that stuff he said at the press conference about concentrating on football and it all being about making the team.

I really hope he succeeds and makes this team (in addition to, rather than instead of, someone like Eugene Sims who I really like). You could see how much it meant to him when Fisher called and anything that sticks a middle finger up at those living in the dark ages is good in my view. But ultimately he's a Rams player and we're all Rams fans - the team is the only thing that matters from this point onwards and I hope this documentary doesn't hurt that in any way.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I'm sick of Sam already! And neither I nor anybody else should be "fined" or punished for not liking this situation!

 

[max]

One question I have is how would you feel if you were one of the Rams players having to deal with another player who was selling his story to Oprah? I think it would make me a bit wary of what I did and said around him. That can't be a good atmosphere at Rams park.

 

[Tony iz Ramlike]

This will probably guarantee his way on the team no matter how bad he is compared to the others imo

 

[-X-]

One question I have is how would you feel if you were one of the Rams players having to deal with another player who was selling his story to Oprah? I think it would make me a bit wary of what I did and said around him. That can't be a good atmosphere at Rams park.

Good point.

 

[ZigZagRam]

Some of the reactions in this thread are ridiculous.

This isn't going to hurt the team. If it hurts Michael Sam's chances that's his decision.

How about we see what this guy has in camp, and how hard he works before we start calling for him to be cut.

Very disappointed to read some of the stuff in this thread. Guess I shouldn't be surprised to see a lot of people looking for the first reason to free themselves from their facade of acceptance of the pick.