Tag: NFL

Posted on

Michael Sam has the 6th best-selling jersey since the NFL draft

My man Michael Sam may have been drafted at number 249, but he recently signed a four year contract with the St. Louis Rams.

And he’s making a strong showing in jersey sales, currently ranked at number 6 since this year’s draft:

In fact, so many people bought Sam’s jersey that he actually cracked the top 10 in jersey sales since the NFL draft according to Darren Rovell of ESPN. Even more impressive is the fact that Sam is one of only two defensive players to have jersey sales in the top 10. The other defensive player is none other than NFL superstar Richard Sherman.

Michael recently sat down with Robin Roberts to talk about doubts he may have had just before he got the historic call from the St. Louis Rams; and the emotion behind his acceptance speech for this year’s Arthur Ashe Courage award at the ESPY Awards:

ABC News | ABC Sports News

Posted on

Michael Sam signs four-year contract with St. Louis Rams

This past Thursday, Michael Sam made history again as he signed a four-year contract with the St. Louis Rams reportedly worth $2.65 million.

Built into the contract is a $46,000 guarantee.

All 11 members selected by the Rams during the 2014 Draft made the final cut.

In celebration, Sam tweeted this photo of his rookie teammates with the caption, “Grateful, humbled, and motivated after officially signing with all my Rams rookie brothers.”

Posted on

Michael Sam docu-series on OWN postponed

The Oprah Winfrey Network docu-series planned to chronicle Michael Sam’s journey as the first gay player in the NFL has been put on hold.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

“After careful consideration and discussion with the St. Louis Rams, the untitled Michael Sam project has been postponed, allowing Michael the best opportunity to achieve his dream of making the team,” said Erik Logan, president of OWN. “OWN is about elevating and empowering people to achieve their best. It’s clear that we, along with the world, recognize the important opportunity that Michael now has in this moment. We will continue to support him in his journey to earn a spot playing for the Rams.”

“After today’s meeting with the Rams, we collectively feel it is best to postpone the project,” said Sam’s agent Cameron Weiss. “This will allow for Michael to have a total focus on football and will ensure no distractions to his teammates. Everybody involved remains committed to this project and understands its historical importance as well as its positive message.”

To be honest, I agree with the decision. I’ve seen reality series shoot, and it’s very time-consuming. What is most important right now is that Michael devote 100% of his focus and energy to being the best defensive end for the St. Louis Rams.

All the other things can come later.

Posted on

St. Louis Rams press conference introducing Michael Sam

Today, the St. Louis Rams introduced Michael Sam at a press conference.

The point made over and over by Michael was that football is his singular focus right now.

When asked how he handles negative comments in social media like Twitter, his answer was simple – he doesn’t read any of it.

Michael handles himself very well here.  Forward.

Watch live streaming video from nflrams at livestream.com
Posted on

Funny: Stephen Colbert takes on the “Michael Sam draft kiss”

Stephen Colbert delivered a hysterical take-down of the “outrage” over the Michael Sam “draft kiss.”

According to Colbert, “In the NFL, sexuality is supposed to take place off camera, and the fans should only find out about it when the charges are filed.”

Colbert also jokes that Sam doesn’t belong in the NFL, he belongs in major league baseball because “the second he was drafted he headed to first base.”

Posted on

How to talk to your children about newly drafted NFL player Michael Sam

Michael Sam was recently drafted by the St. Louis Rams, making him the first out gay professional football player.

Clearly, your children are going to have some questions.

For instance, on FOX News this morning, the hosts were up in arms that Michael Sam, upon achieving his life-long dream of playing in the NFL kissed the love of his life instead of shaking his hand. 

(I guess that what FOX News hosts do in the more important moments of their lives…)

This video is here to help you and people like Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

Posted on

Tweet of the day: Audra McDonald on Michael Sam

As they froth at the mouth over on FOX News about the fact that Michael Sam kissed his boyfriend after getting the call that he was being drafted by the St. Louis Rams, five-time Tony Award winner brings some common sense to the conversation:

“It’s the biggest day of ur life.  A call confirms ur dream has come true.  U turn 2 the love of ur life & … shake their hand? NOPE.  #MICHAELSAM”

Brilliant.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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)