NFL Off Topic

[rangerrick012]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Me personally I never said that I have a problem w him cashing in, only that I hope that people don't refuse to criticize him for it just bc he's the first openly gay player. He should be critiqued for it just like any other rookie who goes to get his own show would be.

I guess what I'm saying is that him being gay shouldn't be used to explain away him cashing in just like "any other player".

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Why not when that is the sole reason for his exposure and this opportunity?

Lets not act like this isn't a unique experience for professional sports - or America in general - or a unique opportunity for there to actually be a gay role model in the mainstream media. I can understand why he would do it. You still have kids out there killing themselves or under physical or emotional harm because they're gay. If Sam wants to put himself in the spotlight to tell others that hey, "its OK" and have the mainstream media run with it more power to him

And since when have NFL players only been football players? C'mon now.

[dsallupinyaarea]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Having a laser focus for football and only football is exactly how most players end up retired and bankrupt. Gotta hedge your bets.

Teams peddle bad information throughout the whole pre draft process. I'm not going to knock him for saying the right things to ensure he got himself drafted.

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[TheShizNo1]

Re: NFL Off Topic

I guess what I'm saying is that him being gay shouldn't be used to explain away him cashing in just like "any other player".

But it is the only reason it's happening lol. You can't dismiss that.

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[jmood88]

Re: NFL Off Topic

There's just a difference of opinion here. Some people want him to just be a football player, others think it's fine if he cashes in on the unique situation he's in.

I tend to lean towards the just play football view.

It's kind of an old school v new school view. Old school wants their football players to just play, new school wants their football players to entertain. Neither is right or wrong.

Nah, the "old school" people just have selective amnesia.

[NDAlum]

NFL Off Topic

It's a business, go get yours Michael Sam. There's a huge market out there that wants to see this and this is going to create a huge fan base for Sam which now might get a large influx of new viewers. What 7th round pick was #2 in jersey sales including beating the #1 overall pick!?

I see this as all parties taking advantage of an opportunity presented to them.


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[Chrisksaint]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Bottom line is whether you agree with it or not the first openly gay player in the NFL is a pretty damn big deal. I guarantee his story is gonna have a positive impact on many confused/troubled kids, etc.


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[Jackdog]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Rams rookie DE Michael Sam will be getting his own reality show on OWN(Oprah's network)according to PFT.com.

“That is awesome!” said nobody in the Rams organization.

[slickdtc]

Re: NFL Off Topic

I guess it's no different then when guys give back to improve the communities they grew up in... They're using their situation to put a spotlight back on where they came from.

I don't like the reality show stuff, but I'm okay with commercials and endorsements. I think that's because I just don't like reality TV that much.

The documentary stuff is fine. Just like the Hey Rookie! series. I just don't want to see a Keeping Up With Michael Sam... Or any other player!

[Jr.]

Re: NFL Off Topic

I'm sure they'd love it. I guess they're not unique enough.

Exactly. They're not unique enough. The rest are just regular 7th round picks that are the same as every other 7th round pick the last 10 years.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Bottom line is whether you agree with it or not the first openly gay player in the NFL is a pretty damn big deal. I guarantee his story is gonna have a positive impact on many confused/troubled kids, etc.


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It is a big story.

A reality show is leading him towards a circus.

Not really sure that you want to be the first, trailblazing gay player and all of a sudden become a headache for the team you play for. It would be like if Jackie Robinson came into baseball then got his own reality show.

Kind of proving teams that passed on Sam right. Probably not worth the media circus that is going to follow Sam around.

[TheShizNo1]

Re: NFL Off Topic

It is a big story.

A reality show is leading him towards a circus.

Not really sure that you want to be the first, trailblazing gay player and all of a sudden become a headache for the team you play for. It would be like if Jackie Robinson came into baseball then got his own reality show.

Kind of proving teams that passed on Sam right. Probably not worth the media circus that is going to follow Sam around.

But why is he taking blame and not the Rams? And I'm sure if all the technology and social media were around when Robinson broke through you'd be seeing the same thing.

This is new. This is the first. To expect it to be treated like noting or ordinary is just ignorant to me. Sadly, we aren't that advanced in our thinking for this not be a big deal in 2014.

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[N51_rob]

Re: NFL Off Topic

It's a business, go get yours Michael Sam. There's a huge market out there that wants to see this and this is going to create a huge fan base for Sam which now might get a large influx of new viewers. What 7th round pick was #2 in jersey sales including beating the #1 overall pick!?

I see this as all parties taking advantage of an opportunity presented to them.


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“That is awesome!” said nobody in the Rams organization.

These two posts pretty much sum this up for me. I'll never begrudge someone doing what they think/feel is in the best interests of #1.

But I doubt the Rams want this on top of the media exposure they are going to get once camp(s) start.

Lastly, Sam can say he is just like any other player but he isn't. His sexual preference shouldn't be a story but it is. If it wasn't he wouldn't be a story not would he be getting a show on OWN.

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[OSUFan_88]

Re: NFL Off Topic

But why is he taking blame and not the Rams? And I'm sure if all the technology and social media were around when Robinson broke through you'd be seeing the same thing.

This is new. This is the first. To expect it to be treated like noting or ordinary is just ignorant to me. Sadly, we aren't that advanced in our thinking for this not be a big deal in 2014.

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Maybe Robinson would have wanted a reality show, but I doubt it.

Something about Sam the person rubs me the wrong way. And it has nothing to do with his sexual preference. His complaining about how he was going from a day 2 pick to a 7th rounder...I dunno.

Seems like he is seeking out anyone who is saying something negative and using it as a crutch. Seems like he wants to shove the narrative of him being gay down everyone's throat, whether they like it or not.

I'm not sure Michael Sam was the right person to be the first openly gay man drafted in the NFL. Gay or not, he seems to be a guy who really likes the spotlight.

As for the Rams, they must have liked him. Why aren't they taking the blame? Because I haven't heard of anything that says the Rams were looking to get Michael Sam a reality TV show. If they were, then they are equally open to criticism too and I would question whether they were the right team to take on something this sensitive and controversial.

This whole situation seems like it's getting unnecessarily bigger. It was big, now it's becoming a circus. It's getting close to Tebow levels. Hope that franchise is ready for it.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic

“That is awesome!” said nobody in the Rams organization.

First, what's up, Jackdog??? Haven't seen you round these parts in a while?

Second, no kidding. Everyone on the Rams are biting their upper lip right now. But from what I heard, the OWN cameras won't have any access to the team and Sam's camp specifically didn't ask for anything special. So it sounds like this will be all off the field stuff.

Even still, as a rookie... any rookie, you have no idea the time constraints of the preseason in the NFL. When you're a 7th round pick, you should be even more sensitive to what may be required of you to just get a shot at making the team. Personally I'd like to believe Sam is taking ownership to the role he can play in many people's lives, rather than jumping on the chance to get a pay check and/or fame. But I still worry that this is a bad decision that may negatively effect him making the team.

And then, of course, there will be the discussion of if he couldn't cut it bc of the show, his skills, or general perception of players in the locker room about his sexuality. His road is rough enough as it is. I really hope he's not biting off more than he can chew.