Tag: out athletes

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First Look: Michael Sam on the Dallas Cowboys training field

Note: When (and I do mean “when”) Sam is put on active status, he will not be wearing #46 as NFL rules restrict defensive linemen to numbers between 60 and 79 and 90 and 99.

However, it should be noted that #46 is a symbolic choice for Sam: 1946 was the year the Rams drafted the first African American players, Kenny Washington and Woody Strode.  Sam clearly represents yet another barrier brought down.

Watch part of Coach Jason Garrett discuss the dynamics of adding Sam to the mix in Dallas:

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Michael Sam officially signs with the Dallas Cowboys

Out NFL-er Michael Sam joins the Dallas Cowboys

It’s official! Michael Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL,  has passed his physical (technicality) and signed with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad.

Sam speaking to the Dallas Morning News: “I’m excited to be to be joining Dallas. I just want to play football, it’s great to be heading back to my home state. … It’s been a roller coaster this past week but I’m happy where I’m at now. … I’m just looking forward to being a Cowboy, my focus is on making the team.”

Head coach Jason Garrett said, “This is about football. We evaluated him as a football player. Our attention is on football.”

During his time on the practice squad (limited to 10 members), Sam will practice with the Cowboys but not take the field during games. However, that can change at any time per the needs of the team. Sam can be activated at brought on to the 53 man roster depending on what management thinks is best for the team AND what is going on regarding injuries, etc.

Recently, the Cowboys’ defensive end George Selvie suffered a shoulder injury; plus, Tyrone Crawford is coming off injured reserve after missing the entire 2013 season. Last year, the Cowboys had the worst defense in the NFL allowing the third-most yards in NFL history.

Reports say Sam will start immediately training with the Cowboys taking the field today.

Go Michael Sam!

(source)

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NFL continues to make money off of Michael Sam

While the NFL doesn’t seem concerned about whether or not homophobia is affecting the nascent career of last year’s SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Michael Sam, they are still making money off of him.

His St. Louis Rams jersey (and other merchandise) continues to sell on the NFL website.  The jersey itself is selling for a hefty $295.

Going once!  Going twice!…

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NFL General Manager: Teams want Michael Sam but fear media attention

According to Mike Freeman of the Bleacher Report, he has spoken to at least one GM in the NFL who will admit – anonymously, of course – that teams want Michael Sam, but are afraid of the media attention:

Meanwhile, Adam Schefter of ESPN breaks down Michael Sams stats against similar players and their status:

UPDATE: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com  thinks Michael Sam could be headed to the Canadian Football League:

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Final day at the 2014 Bingham Cup

Hunky rugby butts at the 2014 Bingham Cup
Rugby players warm up for the 2014 Bingham Cup

The three day Bingham Cup ended with a lop-sided victory by the Sydney Convicts over the Brisbane Hustlers 31-0.

With 24 teams from 15 countries, this was the first time since 2002 the biennial event was held in the southern hemisphere.

The competition came a week after the Australian Rugby Union announced news of an inclusion policy to combat homophobia in the sport.

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Michael Sam responds to release by the St. Louis Rams

Out NFL-er Michael Sam responds to being released by St. Louis Rams
Michael Sam

Out NFL-er Michael Sam sent a series of tweets once it was announced that he was being released by the St. Louis Rams, once again demonstrating the class act that he is a class act.

It’s clear to everyone watching that this isn’t the “finish line” for Sam.

In the next 24 hours it’s very possible one of the other 31 NFL teams will pick up Sam. If not, it’s pretty certain he will be signed to the Rams’ practice squad – giving him more time to hone his skills waiting to either be activated by the Rams or picked up by another team.

But today is not a destination.

Just a detour.

Trust and believe.

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Michael Sam released by St. Louis Rams

Openly gay NFL hopeful Michael Sam was released by the St. Louis Rams today
Michael Sam

Outsports is reporting that Michael Sam, 7th round draft pick and SEC Defensive Player of the Year hoping to become the first gay man to make an NFL regular season roster, has been released by the St. Louis Rams.

The next 24 hours will determine Sam’s immediate NFL fate. The other 31 NFL teams can put in a claim for his services and Sam would go to the team that claimed him first. If Sam is unclaimed, there is a strong chance he will be signed as one of 10 practice squad players by the Rams.

If that happens, Sam can practice with the Rams but not play in a game. For that to happen, he will have to be placed on the active 53-man roster, something that can occur, for example, with injuries to other players. Practice squad players earn a minimum $6,300 per week they are on the team. This amounts to $107,100 if he lasts all 17 regular season weeks on the squad. Had Sam made the Rams roster, he would have earned $420,000 this season. He gets to keep the $45,000 signing bonus he was given after the draft.

It would appear the decision came down to a choice between Sam and undrafted rookie Ethan Westbrooks. Westbrooks is one of nine defensive linemen to land a roster spot.

Throughout the preseason Sam has shown he has the skill and determination to play in the NFL. Dropping 13 pounds prior to camp, he upped his speed. And his stats warrant a spot in the league: in four preseason games, Sam stacked up 10.5 tackles and three sacks in the preseason, including two sacks of Johnny Manziel last weekend.

I think it’s clear both on and off the field, Sam has shown tremendous poise, confidence and talent.  The LGBT community can feel proud that Sam has handled himself so ably.

Here’s hoping we have good news in the next 24 hours.

Go Michael Sam!

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St. Louis Rams announce 17 players cut – Michael Sam still in the mix

The St. Louis Rams cut 17 players today, and Michael Sam remains in the mix so far.

The roster is now down to 58 players. NFL rules state teams must cut to 53 players by 4pmET on Saturday.

USA Today’s TomPelissero tweeted:

NFL.com’s Michael Silver sent this to his followers:

Today’s cuts leave 11 defensive lineman still on the team. Conventional wisdom says the Rams will keep nine or 10 DL players.

According to Jim Buzinski, these are the possible scenarios facing Sam:

• The Rams go with nine defensive lineman, keep Sam and cut Westbrooks.
• The Rams go with nine defensive lineman, keep Westbrooks and cut Sam.
• Rams go with nine defensive lineman, keep both Sam and Westbrooks, and trade a veteran for a need elsewhere.
• Rams go with 10 defensive lineman, keep both Sam and Westbrooks.

If cut, Sam will be available to the other 31 teams for 24 hours. If he gets claimed, he will have a spot on the roster of that team. If he is not claimed, he can be added to the Rams’ 10-man practice squad. This means he can practice with the team but not play, and his salary would be much less than the $440,000 he would get for making the roster; practice players are guaranteed a minimum salary of $6,300 per week for the 17-week season.

Interesting to note: the Rams have already cut the 214th and 226th picks made in the 2014 NFL Draft. As we all know, Michael Sam was famously selected with the 249th pick.

A press conference has been scheduled by the Rams for 4:30pmET on Saturday.

(via OutSports)

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2014 Bingham Cup begins in Australia

Did someone say “Rugby?”

The Bingham Cup is held every two years, inviting rugby players from all over the world – regardless of their sexual orientation – to come enjoy the sport they love without fear of judgement or discrimination.

Called the “World Cup of Gay Rugby,” the event is named after Mark Bingham who died standing up to terrorists on Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. Bingham was a sports enthusiast who played rugby for the San Francisco Fog.

Thirty rugby teams from 15 countries will take part in this year’s event, which runs through August 31.

Brad Thorson – San Francisco Fog Centre

Chris Buckmaster – Kings Cross Steelers Captain

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Out NFL-er Michael Sam makes first round of cuts for St. Louis Rams

Michael Sam of the St. Louis Rams

This afternoon, the St. Louis Rams kept Michael Sam on their roster as the team whittled down to the league maximum of 75.

Michael Sam is the first openly gay athlete to play in the NFL.

That Sam made it through the first round of cuts is of little surprise after he posted two sacks against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday night.

Through three preseason games, Sam — the first openly gay active player in NFL history — has five tackles and three sacks. Rams coaches’ film review also credits the rookie defensive end with two quarterback pressures and a quarterback hit.

This gets Sam to the final preseason game on Thursday against the Miami Dolphins, where he’ll surely get the playing time he needs to make his case.

Final cuts must be made by 4pm ET Saturday to a 53 man roster.