Around The NFL - 2014

[General_Failure]

I only see 22 mil guarenteed, 14 mil signing bonus.

[Eagaholic]

The term "guaranteed money" really doesn't mean much unless it is qualified how and for what it is guaranteed. Most often the agents/players/teams use it to try and bamboozle people and their understanding of what the player really got.

[Eagaholic]

Rams defensive end Michael Sam is getting a reality show.

The Oprah Winfrey Network announced today that it is working with Sam on a reality TV project that will show his life as the first openly gay player in the NFL.

"We are honored that Michael is trusting us with his private journey in this moment that has not only made history but will shape it forever," Oprah Winfrey said in a statement. "I am proud of the focus on authentic storytelling in our new documentary series format."

I don't get the feeling that this is going to go well for Sam. It is going to be hard enough as a bubble player (yes, pi) without bringing the extra distractions.

[General_Failure]

Football players really hate having cameras around.

[Eagaholic]

a lot do, and especially most teams would.

[SD]

He could have made a bigger statement by making the Rams and being an impact player than he would licking cake off his boyfriends face and doing a reality show. This sort of stuff screams for self attention and minimizes the goal which should be footbal. Really he's just an attention whore at this point.

[ice grillin you]

Really he's just an attention whore at this point.

welcome to professional sports

[Sgt PSN]

Attention whore is a bit much. Being the 1st openly gay player in the NFL is going to come with excessive media attention and scrutiny, not only from mainstream America, but from the LGBT community as well. Aside from trying to make an NFL roster as a 7th Rd pick, he also has the burden of trying to convince an entire country that he (every gay person, actually) is no different than anyone else. It's an unfair burden that no single person should have to endure, but I commend him for taking the challenge.

It's already tough enough to be black in this country and disprove the stereotypes that come with it, but now he's got to also disprove an entirely different set of stereotypes.  If he doesn't make an NFL roster, it's just going to reinforce the mindset that gay men aren't manly enough to play football. If he does make the team as a bubble player, people will say it's because the team didn't want to deal with the backlash of cutting the gay guy.

Micheal Sam is pretty farged from here on out no matter what he does, so he might as well do what he can to get exposure and make a little extra money because he might be looking for a job in 3 months.

[Eagaholic]

It seems to me Sam's biggest problem is that he apparently doesn't have some kind of advisor/mentor that has a good handle on things and only has Sam's best interests at heart. If he wants to be an activist that's fine but it seems like he's making the wrong choices. It also makes me wonder about Oprah. She must understand that this hurts his chances of making the team.

[ice grillin you]

im all for pissing off as many homophobic bigots as possible....they are going to hate him no matter what so might as well put yourself in their living room as much as you can

[Rome]

im all for pissing off as many homophobic bigots as possible....they are going to hate him no matter what so might as well put yourself in their living room as much as you can

100% concur.

[SD]

It seems to me Sam's biggest problem is that he apparently doesn't have some kind of advisor/mentor that has a good handle on things and only has Sam's best interests at heart. If he wants to be an activist that's fine but it seems like he's making the wrong choices. It also makes me wonder about Oprah. She must understand that this hurts his chances of making the team.

Couldn't agree more.

im all for pissing off as many homophobic bigots as possible....they are going to hate him no matter what so might as well put yourself in their living room as much as you can

I agree, but when he conducts himself in such a manner it gives them confirmation that their bigotry is legit. "All gay people act this way...see". He needs to be more Omar Little and less Brian Boitono.

[ice grillin you]

I agree, but when he conducts himself in such a manner it gives them confirmation that their bigotry is legit. "All gay people act this way...see".

i dont give a rats ass about a bigots bigotry and he shouldnt either...thats like telling pimp not to be so flamboyant because some racist ass cracker rednecks think all black people are "that way"

he just needs to be himself...just like ocho cinco is himself or johnny manzell is himself....haters gon hate and its not their feelings that should be under consideration here

[Geowhizzer]

Sam's a 24 year old kid trying to make his way in a world that is often hostile to anyone perceived as different.  He may have made his road to the NFL harder with the deal (not sure how the Rams - or anyother NFL team - is going to accept his reality show).  Oprah probably waved a fistful of hundred, and I can't blame a poor college kids for responding to that - I probably would have been severly tempted to accept a deal of that type.

Not really my thing, but then again, neither is most the so-called "reality shows" that have been cropping up.  It's mainly low-rent entertainment.  But, in the end, it won't affect me at all, since I won't watch it, nor will anyone involved care what I think.

In the end, much ado about nothing.

[ice grillin you]

Oprah probably waved a fistful of hundred, and I can't blame a poor college kids for responding to that - I probably would have been severly tempted to accept a deal of that type.

i was gonna mention that as well...he will probably make more off the show than the nfl...i cant imagine theres too many late round pick/udfa players who wouldnt take a reality show if offered