Tag: out athletes

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ESPN reports on the tough stories like Michael Sam’s shower habits

St. Louis Rams Michael Sam in preseason training

ESPN goes deep into the St. Louis Rams preseason camp to discover the real stories – like, how’s it going with Michael Sam in the showers…?

SRSLY.

From Think Progress:

During an afternoon SportsCenter broadcast, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported that an anonymous Rams player told her that “Sam is respecting our space” when it comes to the shower, perhaps waiting so as not to make some of his teammates feel uncomfortable.

Two other players who actually put their name to statements — defensive tackle Kendall Langford and linebacker Alec Ogletree — told Anderson that they “weren’t tracking” Sam’s shower habits, which seems like the natural response to such a question.

But no one got to the truth so succinctly as Rams defensive end Chris Long, who tweeted:

Clearly, ESPN is trying to create a story where there is none. Just about everyone has moved on from the “gay man in an NFL locker room” angle.

You can watch “report” from ESPN below:

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St. Louis Rams’ Michael Sam notches first sack of his NFL career

Michael Sam of the St. Louis Rams

History was made Saturday afternoon as my man Michael Sam, of the St. Louis Rams, recorded the first sack of his NFL career.

From CBS Sports:

On a 3rd and 19 for the Packers, the Rams defensive end lined up on the left side of the Rams line. He beat Derek Sherrod on a dip move, burst into the pocket and chased down Matt Flynn to record his first sack.

I should tell you that, as the son of a sports writer, I know EXACTLY what that all means.

I just couldn’t have written it.

Congrats to Mike on the first of many!

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Arizona State’s Edward “Chip” Sarafin comes out as only active gay college football player

Edward “Chip” Sarafin of Arizona State University comes out

Arizona State University offensive lineman Edward “Chip” Sarafin has earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and is currently working on his master’s degree.

He is also involved with community outreach through the Pat Tillman Foundation, an organization invested in veterans and their spouses, and named after the late ASU and Arizona Cardinals player Pat Tillman.

Oh – and the 6’6″ 320 pound football player also happens to be gay.

Arizona State coach Todd Graham issued this statement (from OutSports):

“We are a brotherhood that is not defined by cultural and personal differences, but rather an individual’s commitment to the Sun Devil Way. Chip is a fifth-year senior and a Scholar Baller, a graduate and a master’s student. His commitment to service is unmatched and it is clear he is on his way to leading a successful life after his playing career, a goal that I have for every student-athlete. Diversity and acceptance are two of the pillars of our program, and he has full support from his teammates and the coaching staff.”

Sarafin slowly started to come out to his Sun Devils teammates last spring, saying, “it was really personal for me and it benefited my peace of mind greatly.” His public announcement makes him the first openly gay football player on an active collegiate roster.

Another exceptional out football player made note and tweeted this to the college senior:

(source)

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Michael Sam takes to the field for first NFL game

Last night, out NFL-er Michael Sam took to the field for the first time with the St. Louis Rams.

Via BleacherReport:

In fact, it’s curious that Sam played as early as he did. When the Rams’ first “official” depth chart was released a few days ago, Sam was listed as a third-stringer, but he entered the game with the twos.

As Tom Pelissero of USA Today pointed out, it didn’t take long for Sam to make a little noise, at which point the fans in attendance showed their support:

Sam played the rest of the first half, finishing with one solo tackle, one quarterback hit and one QB hurry. With rushing the passer being Sam’s forte, he expectedly looked most comfortable while going after the signal-caller, even if he wasn’t able to seal the deal.

It was about what you’d expect from a seventh-round pick fighting to make the team: Sam showed good burst on the play that got him his tackle, but he almost let the ball-carrier slip through his grasp. On some snaps he looked comfortable, and on others he looked lost.

After the game, Hall of Fame wide receiver had this to say about Sam: “He showed that he can play in this league.”

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Jason Collins talks on “code words” used to describe out athletes

Jason Collins recently stopped by TakePart Live to chat on the media firestorm that happens when you’re the first out athlete to play in a major sports league.

Collins breaks down NFL coach Tony Dungy’s offensive comments about not wanting to coach openly gay football player Michael Sam, and dangerous code words the athletic community uses to describe homosexuality.

“I think that personnel, coaches, owners — can look at my example, my journey in the NBA and see that after two weeks back, it was about basketball,” Collins says in reference to Dungy’s comments.

“There were games, especially a month after I was signed that reporters didn’t even ask me any questions. It will always go back to the sport because there are only so many ways they can write the article. There are only so many ways they can keep talking about LGBT issues when you’re a professional athlete because you’re a professional athlete first.”

“I kinda laugh every time I hear a code word being used…. Any kind of minority group, and you hear people use different code words and you’re like, ‘I know what you’re really saying and I’m above that,'” Collins remarks.

(via TakePart Live)

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Former LA Laker Rick Fox calls Jason Collins, Michael Sam “brave men”

Actor and former NBA player for the Lakers tells Larry King that he believes gay players have always been in pro sports, and he believes Michael Sam and Jason Collins are brave to coming out:

KING: Gays in sports. We have them now in the NFL, NBA, think that’s coming and think that’ll be accepted?

FOX: I think it’s been here, the acceptance of it will grow with time. Jason Collins, and Michael Sam recently in football; brave men for stepping out and being a voice and standing for their own. First standing for themselves, and being role models for other gay men and women who are in the workplace and want to be expressed, so the acceptance now and the growth comes from their teammates and the league.

KING: You say it’s always been here, did you know gay players?

FOX: I didn’t know gay players, I just know as I’ve evolved as an actor and being around Hollywood and working with gay men and women, the understanding of just the community itself, gave me insight into how difficult its been for gay men and women to live and how covered they’ve lived for so many years. So I just look at them and think its been, there has to have been gay men and women who haven’t felt safe enough to express themselves.

KING: When more come open, do you think it’s going to be accepted readily in NBA locker rooms?

FOX: I think you have to demand it. I think you have to just demand equality in general.

Larry King Now, now in it’s second season, is a daily show available online Monday through Friday on Ora.tv and Hulu.

You can watch the entire interview here.