@Vitcamm Thank you for saying yes 💍💍💍 pic.twitter.com/kcqVCH6DnZ— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) January 16, 2015
😍👬💍🙀 pic.twitter.com/qXLktdF9l5— Vito (@Vitcamm) January 16, 2015
Human Rights Campaign To Honor Michael Sam At “Time To THRIVE” Conference
Today, HRC announced that out football player Michael Sam will be honored at HRC’s national Time to THRIVE conference in February.
Michael Sam shared this statement:
“I know first-hand what it’s like to live and come out in spaces where being LGBTQ isn’t accepted, much less celebrated,” Sam said. “So I understand the challenges that many of today’s LGBTQ youth are facing – from bullying to family rejection, even homelessness. These are heartbreaking problems that no child, no young person should have to face alone, and that people like teachers, counselors and social workers are uniquely positioned to help overcome.”
“I’m honored to be part of such an important conference, where the concerns of LGBTQ youth – particularly youth of color – are being elevated, and where the educators and professionals who serve them have a unique opportunity to learn how to better meet those needs,” he said. “I truly believe that events like Time to THRIVE can help create a better, more hopeful future for LGBTQ youth.”
The Time to THRIVE conference attracts hundreds of people who play crucial roles in the everyday lives of LGBTQ youth – from teachers, counselors, clergy, and coaches, to staff from youth development organizations including scouting and Boys and Girls Clubs.
More than 60 workshops on topics such as creating safe and inclusive schools, and supporting transgender and gender-expansive youth, are available to attendees.
(via press release)
Michael Sam Engaged!
TMZ is reporting that out football player Michael Sam and beau Vito Cammisano are engaged!
The rumor stems from a single tweet from a female friend of Cammisano’s (which appears to have been deleted) The tweet read:
People he’s officially off the market. My beautiful friend @vitocamm is getting married!!!!!” (AHHHHHHHHH!) I love you so much Vit. So damn excited…so ready to celebrate! @mikeysam52 #vitoisengaged
Apparently, the question was popped in Rome, but there are questions as to who proposed to whom…
Here’s hoping it’s true for the happy couple.
Looking for confirmation from other sources now. Check back here for updates.
Go Michael Sam!
Michael Sam NFL Jersey Outsells 2014 Number One Draft Pick
According to sales reports from sports retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods, out NFLer Michael Sam’s jersey outsold number one draft pick Jadeveon Clowney.
In full disclosure: Clowney sustained an early season injury which curtailed play time.
But good to know my man Sam was supported by his fans.
Check me wearing MY Michael Sam jersey this past August on the day the St. Louis Rams cut him at the end of the preseason.
Looking foward to seeing Sam on a regular roster in 2015.
Michael Sam Sits Down With Oprah Winfrey
For the first time since being cut by the St. Louis Rams, Michael Sam sat down for an interview last night.
This time was with the “queen of the interview,” Oprah Winfrey.
During the chat, Oprah asked about the infamous “cake kiss” that aired on ESPN after Sam was drafted to the St. Louis Rams late in the seventh round of the NFL draft, and whether or not the kiss was staged for the cameras that were present.
Oprah asks, “Was the Cake Kiss too much for the country?”
Oprah later asks Sam why he isn’t currently on an NFL team – not good enough or because he’s gay?
More clips from the interview and documentary at the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Michael Sam to Oprah: Gay NFL Players Reached Out To Me
In tonight’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michael Sam says several gay NFL players have reached out to him after he was drafted:
Sam: “Very few reached out to me and pretty much just told me their gratitude and how thankful they were that I had the courage. They wished that they had the courage to come out.”
Oprah: “Gay men in the NFL reached out to you and called you?”
Sam: “Yes. They just showed their respect and admired my courage. It was very good.”
Oprah: “You’re using the plural. ‘Men.’ Not ‘man.’”
Sam: “Men. There’s a lot of us out there. I’m not the only one. I’m just the only one who’s open.”
The special episode of “Oprah Prime” airs tonight, Saturday, Dec. 27, at 10:30 p.m. ET, after the debut of the 90 minute documentary “Michael Sam” on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Oprah Winfrey Network To Air Documentary “Michael Sam” December 27, 2014
On Saturday, December 27, the Oprah Winfrey Network will air the documentary, “Michael Sam.” The film chronicles the first year roller coaster ride of the first out athlete to be drafted in the NFL.
Immediately following the documentary, Oprah will air an exclusive “Oprah Prime” one-on-one interview with Michael Sam. This will be Sam’s first TV interview since being cut from the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.
Originally intended to be a reality/docu-series following Michael Sam during his first season with the NFL, the project was shelved so that Sam could focus on football exclusively. The series has now been edited into a 90 minute documentary.
From OWN:
The OWN documentary follows the former University of Missouri college football star as he enters the world of professional football and vies for a spot on an NFL team. Cameras get up close and personal with Michael as he openly discusses a childhood fraught with tragedy and poverty, as well as his emotional decision to come out as a gay man in the world of pro sports. The documentary captures the moment when Michael was drafted by the St. Louis Rams, the intense media scrutiny that immediately followed, and Michael’s struggle to stay focused despite the pressure and chaos. Additionally, the documentary explores Michael’s relationship with his boyfriend Vito and the challenge of balancing his personal life alongside his pursuit of NFL stardom of Michael Sam, who made history when he became the first openly gay football player drafted into the NFL.
The documentary will air Saturday, December 27 at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Michael Sam – #IAmUnbroken
Out football player Michael Sam shares his emotional roller coaster ride as the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL this past year as part of a campaign called #IAmUnbroken.
From being SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and an All-American at the University of Missouri to NFL draft day, to being cut by the St Louis Rams and the Dallas Cowboys, Sam still stands tall in his conviction to play in the NFL: “I’m not afraid to continue on this journey to try to make an NFL team. That is my dream, I am determined to make it to the NFL.”
According to press materials, the campaign “invites those from all walks of life to share their stories of triumph.”
Jolie’s film, “Unbroken,” tells the inspiring story of Olympian and war hero Louis “Louie” Zamperini. The film debuts Christmas Day.
Michael Sam: I Don’t Think It Had To Do With Talent
Out football player Michael Sam got cornered by TMZ at LAX yesterday, where he fielded a few questions about his plans moving forward, plus whether or not he thought coming out affected his NFL prospects.
When asked if he thinks NFL teams are shying away from him because of his sexual orientation … or if it has to do with the level of talent he faced after college:
“I think I was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year last year … so I don’t think it had to do with talent.”
As always, Sam handles himself and the questions with grace. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
By the way, he’s looking pretty handsome here, don’t you think?
Michael Sam In Talks To Play In Canadian Football League
Could Michael Sam’s football career take him north?
According to Chris Battaglia at The Score, the Montreal Alouettes are talking to Michael Sam about playing there in 2015 and the chances are “50/50” that the deal could work.
The possibility of Sam playing for the Alouettes has been up in the air since the St. Louis Rams released him at the end of preseason play. That was when it came to light that Sam was on Montreal’s negotiation list, which means the CFL team has the exclusive right to sign him.
Sam has been a free agent since the Dallas Cowboys cut him from their practice squad in October.
The Alouettes were eliminated from the CFL playoffs in the East Division final after going 8-2 in their last 10 regular-season games. Defense was Montreal’s biggest strength, and adding a player of Sam’s caliber would give it arguably the best pass rush in the league.
Former NFL scout Russ Lande believes Sam’s body type and playing style are well-suited for Canadian football, comparing him to former Calgary Stampeders defensive end Cordarro Law. Law signed with the San Diego Chargers and made his NFL debut this year after recording 14 sacks with the Stampeders in 2013.
“(Sam) could star in the CFL,” Lande told Sean Keeler of Fox Sports Kansas City. “The reality is, in the CFL, a lot of their pass rushers are 250-pound, smallish guys who’ve got quick feet. (Sam) can run, he uses his hands well, he’s got a nose for the quarterback.”
Additionally, Sam may be getting an offer from Vince Neil (front man for Mötley Crüe) who owns the Las Vegas Outlaws franchise of the Arena Football League.