Tag: Michael Sam

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Michael Sam’s St. Louis Rams jersey is outselling number one draft pick

OutSports is reporting that Michael Sam’s St. Louis Rams jersey is the second highest selling of any 2014 NFL draftee.

The other four include 3 quarterbacks and the number one pick.  He only trails Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel of the Cleveland Browns.

Keep in mind, number 1 position Manziel was drafted on Thursday and Sam was drafted late Saturday. His jersey only became available for order yesterday.

Here’s the top five selling jerseys of the 2014 NFL draft:

1. Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns

2. Michael Sam, St. Louis Rams

3. Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans

4. Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings

5. Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars

“This is unprecedented for a Day 3 pick, let alone a seventh round pick, to crack the top five rookies sold following Draft weekend,” said NFL spokesperson Joanna Hunter.

You can order your very own Michael Sam jersey by clicking here.

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Michael Sam celebrates NFL draft in Las Vegas

St. Louis Ram Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by the NFL, celebrated the occasion at TAO Nightclub in Las Vegas Saturday night.

Drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round, the defensive end from the University of Missouri was joined by boyfriend Vito Cammisano, who swam competitively for the school.

A group of ten, including his agent and friends were on hand as Sam was surprised by a presentation from the club and a shout out from DJ Vice. He spotted Richard Sherman of the NFL champion Seattle Seahawks at a neighboring table the two chatted for a few minutes.

Sam and Cammisano later headed to the DJ booth, where Vice stopped the music to introduce and congratulate the newly signed pro. The crowd cheered as they danced and waved when Vice asked “Do we have any Rams fans in the house?!” The couple returned to their table where they celebrated the historic day until 3 am.

(All photos: Amit Dadlaney)

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Miami Dolphins Don Jones fined and suspended for anti-Michael Sam tweet

Suspended Miami Dolphins’ Don Jones

The Miami Dolphins have fined second-year defensive back Don Jones an undisclosed amount and suspended him following critical remarks towards Michael Sam, who recently became the first openly gay athlete drafted by the NFL.

After St. Louis selected the openly gay Sam with the 249th overall pick in the seventh and final round of the NFL Draft, TV cameras showed Sam kissing his boyfriend in celebration. Just after the kiss happened, Jones tweeted ‘OMG’ and ‘Horrible.’

On Sunday night, Jones apologized for sending out the two tweets.

“I want to apologize to Michael Sam for the inappropriate comments that I made last night on social media,” Jones said in a statement. “I take full responsibility for them and I regret that these tweets took away from his draft moment. I remember last year when I was drafted in the seventh round and all of the emotions and happiness I felt when I received the call that gave me an opportunity to play for an NFL team and I wish him all the best in his NFL career.”

Jones didn’t just apologize to Sam either. He also apologized to the Dolphins: “I sincerely apologize to Mr. Ross, my teammates, coaches, staff and fans for these tweets,” Jones said. “I am committed to represent the values of the Miami Dolphins organization and appreciate the opportunity I have been given to do so going forward.”

Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey made it clear on Saturday night that the team wouldn’t tolerate Jones’ actions and coach Joe Philbin echoed that sentiment on Sunday.

“We were disappointed to read Don’s tweets during the NFL Draft,” Philbin said. “They were inappropriate and unacceptable, and we regret the negative impact these comments had on such an important weekend for the NFL. We met with Don today about respect, discrimination and judgment. These comments are not consistent with the values and standards of our program.”

Miami has weathered some high profile issues with sensitivity recently as this comes on the heels of a four-month investigation into bullying and hazing allegations made against the Dolphins by Jonathan Martin.

The video below is the moment that upset Don Jones so terribly.

(via CBS Sports)

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Listen: Michael Sam’s first press conference as a St. Louis Ram

Shortly after being drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 2014 NFL Draft, Michael Sam took questions from sports writers in a telephone press conference.

A few excerpts:

• “I am overwhelmed. I’m excited and I’m proud to be a Ram.”

• “The St. Louis Rams saw my potential and I’m going to give everything I’ve got to them.”

• “It’s about playing football. Can Michael Sam play football? Yes I can.”

• “I knew I was going to get picked somewhere. Every team that passed me, I was thinking how I’m going to sack their quarterback.”

• “I’ve been getting in shape and preparing for this moment for a very long time. I’m so determined to be great.”

• “I’m happy to be with the St. Louis Rams. Everything else is history.”

Listen to the 10 minute press conference below.

Go Michael Sam! #SamFans

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Watching the 2014 NFL Draft

My husband Michael made fun of me because – for what may be the only time in history – I have been planted in front of the TV watching the NFL Draft since it began today to see if out NFL hopeful Michael Sam gets the nod today.

(Of course, the beer at 11am made for a visual also…)

Experts seem to see him getting drafted around number 169-179.

We’re at #166 right now.

I don’t care what round or spot – I just want to see Sam get drafted.

Go Michael Sam!

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NFL hopeful Michael Sam lands endorsement deal with VISA

Even before being picked in the NFL draft, Michael Sam has signed his first endorsement deal.

In a spot for Visa’s “Everywhere” campaign, Sam is shown working out while a voiceover urges the viewer to judge him for his play on the field, not off of it.

“We felt that Michael’s story was a perfect fit for our ‘everywhere’ campaign, which is meant to inspire people to reach their own personal goals and aspirations,” Visa’s chief marketing officer Kevin Burke told ESPN.com. “We wish Michael the best on and off the field as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.”

Sam is predicted to get picked in the NFL draft (which begins tonight) on Saturday, day three of this year’s draft.

(source)

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Washington lobbyist wants to boycott any team that drafts out NFL hopeful Michael Sam

Washington DC lobbyist Jack Burkman (who would like a federal law passed banning gays from the NFL) says he is planning to organize a boycott of any football team that picks openly gay football player Michael Sam in the NFL Draft.

From Christian Post:

In a release issued Thursday, Burkman said he would “leverage his political clout” to ensure that the franchise that selects the 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive end from Missouri would get “roughed up financially.”

“We shall exercise our First Amendment rights and shall not stop until the drafting NFL franchise cannot sell a single ticket, jersey or autographed football,” said Burkman. “In short, we shall be relentless.”

Burkman claims in the release that he is currently mobilizing “powerful grassroots organizations in 27 of the 50 states,” as well as a “coalition of Evangelical Christian leaders from across the nation to take part in a protest if Sam is drafted.”

(h/t JMG)

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Out NFL hopeful Michael Sam on the eve of NFL Draft: “Nervous” and “exciting” time

The NFL draft begins tomorrow and Michael Sam is ready for it.

“I’ve been thinking about this moment since junior year of college,’ Sam shares with Robin Roberts of Good Morning America. ‘It’s a very nervous time and a very exciting time. I’m ready for it.’

He added: ‘Where I go doesn’t matter as long as I get to play.’

Although he is not expected to be a top pick, latest estimates guess that Sam could see his name called in the fifth to seventh rounds. Either way, he would make history no matter what round should he get the nod in the next few days.

Between being named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, coming out, getting a Sports Illustrated cover and recently hearing the news that he will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2014 ESPYs in July, these are heady times.

Thinking best thoughts for Sam over the next few days.