LOCKED: Michael Sam and the Oprah documentary

[Palmettodog]

What the hell is he thinking? Everyone knows that's it gonna be tough already entering a locker room, especially training camp, being the first openly gay NFL player. I have no issue with the guy being gay. If you like dudes, great, I don't give a ****, although I really don't want to see you licking cake of someone's face, just like you probably don't want to see me licking cake off my wife's face.

Now you bring in a camera crew to follow around a 7th round pick? I just don't see this going well with the other players, gay or not. It almost seems like this is a publicity stunt, or a 15 minutes of fame type of deal.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

Any 7th round pick should take any chance he can to make money

Though I doubt anyone will notice there are now 134 cameras following their team around instead of 133.

 

[Palmettodog]

I disagree. I would want my merits on the field to make me who I am in the locker room, not Oprah and a bunch of cameras.

 

[thatsbaseball]

This will all get clearer to you when they start negotiating what NFL team gets to go back into the LA market.

 

[aTotal360]

Agree and disagree. It's a great move for the overall Sam brand, but a bad move for Sam the football player. If you don't think this won't be a major distraction, you have never been around TV production. To think OWN is going to send 1 cameraman around to follow Sam is naive. I guarantee you there will no less than 2 cameramen, 2 audio guys, a lighting guy, and 2 producers.

The good news is OWN has said it will not follow Sam into the workplace. That's a good thing for Sam the football player. To me, it sounds like its going to be more about Micheal Sam's home life mixed with what little access to the NFL they can get.

On the flip side, it could buy Sam more time on the team because of the awkwardness of potentially cutting him. But ya, make money while you can. The buzz isn't going to last forever.

 

[johnson86-1]

What the hell is he thinking? Everyone knows that's it gonna be tough already entering a locker room, especially training camp, being the first openly gay NFL player. I have no issue with the guy being gay. If you like dudes, great, I don't give a ****, although I really don't want to see you licking cake of someone's face, just like you probably don't want to see me licking cake off my wife's face. Now you bring in a camera crew to follow around a 7th round pick? I just don't see this going well with the other players, gay or not. It almost seems like this is a publicity stunt, or a 15 minutes of fame type of deal.

He has to decide whether he wants to be primarily Sam the football player or Sam the gay cause. I can't fault him too much because I'm sure he feels some pressure to push his story, and 7th round picks should probably take what money they get, but at the same time, I think it might have been more effective if he took a hard line on the position that he's just a football player, and he can consider and deal with what it means for the gay community after his career is over. There's going to be plenty of publicity about it regardless and I think him being adamant that the important thing is football might have made it easier for other athletes to come out and take the position that it's not a big deal.

 

[esplanade91]

If I'm a St. Louis Ram and a 7th round pick for whatever reason signs up for a TV show that follows him around, I'm saying "Who the 17 does this guy think he is?!"

He might make the team still. They might not follow him into the locker room. But it serves as ANOTHER point of alienation from his teammates. And at this point it seems like an uphill battle.

 

[mcdawg22]

Cue the music

 

[seshomoru]

He can't even kiss his boyfriend without people freaking out.

What he's about to be doing needs all the attention in the world, because it's obvious that a lot of people say they are cool with an openly gay football player but actually aren't. The very first time there was a visual of what someone does when their gay, like kiss other boys, people were up in arms. No one freaked their **** out when Drew Brees kissed his wife after the Super Bowl. Nobody freaks out when Tom Brady is seen out holding hands with Giselle. Hell, nobody cared when he fathered a child out of wedlock. If people were actually ok with a gay NFL player, then no one would have said **** about him kissing his boyfriend. So his story, and the life of a gay athlete DEFINITELY needs to be on TV because even though they say they are cool with it, most people aren't.

 

[StillTbonewannabe]

What he's about to be doing needs all the attention in the world, because it's obvious that a lot of people say they are cool with an openly gay football player but actually aren't. The very first time there was a visual of what someone does when their gay, like kiss other boys, people were up in arms. No one freaked their **** out when Drew Brees kissed his wife after the Super Bowl. Nobody freaks out when Tom Brady is seen out holding hands with Giselle. Hell, nobody cared when he fathered a child out of wedlock. If people were actually ok with a gay NFL player, then no one would have said **** about him kissing his boyfriend. So his story, and the life of a gay athlete DEFINITELY needs to be on TV because even though they say they are cool with it, most people aren't.

People are more up in arms about this than Ray Rice beating his fiancé. This also received more media attention.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

What he's about to be doing needs all the attention in the world, because it's obvious that a lot of people say they are cool with an openly gay football player but actually aren't. The very first time there was a visual of what someone does when their gay, like kiss other boys, people were up in arms. No one freaked their **** out when Drew Brees kissed his wife after the Super Bowl. Nobody freaks out when Tom Brady is seen out holding hands with Giselle. Hell, nobody cared when he fathered a child out of wedlock. If people were actually ok with a gay NFL player, then no one would have said **** about him kissing his boyfriend. So his story, and the life of a gay athlete DEFINITELY needs to be on TV because even though they say they are cool with it, most people aren't.

Help me understand the double standard. People who feel attracted to same sex should pursue those feelings 100%, declare gay and be applauded. However, people who feel sick when they see same sex affection, and genuinely believe that the behavior is wrong, should shelve those feelings, and applaud as well, or be ridiculed and demonized.

By what standard is one more correct than the other? I am genuinely trying to understand the thought process of someone who believes differently than me.

 

[Hanmudog]

What he's about to be doing needs all the attention in the world, because it's obvious that a lot of people say they are cool with an openly gay football player but actually aren't. The very first time there was a visual of what someone does when their gay, like kiss other boys, people were up in arms. No one freaked their **** out when Drew Brees kissed his wife after the Super Bowl. Nobody freaks out when Tom Brady is seen out holding hands with Giselle. Hell, nobody cared when he fathered a child out of wedlock. If people were actually ok with a gay NFL player, then no one would have said **** about him kissing his boyfriend. So his story, and the life of a gay athlete DEFINITELY needs to be on TV because even though they say they are cool with it, most people aren't.

I have no issue with it being on TV....one day. Not now. This is a horrible mistake by Sam. I support the guy but this will be a huge blemish on his resume for other teams if he happens to be cut by the Rams. No team wants to deal with stuff like this and it has nothing to do with him being gay and everything to do with the fact that he is a rookie. I would say the same if Manziel or Clowney pulled this stunt.

 

[mcdawg22]

What did I do wrong DS. I tried to imbed it. I even got so excited because I saw it worked, then I saw you edited it.

 

[seshomoru]

The only way you can possibly believe being gay is wrong...

is if you think it is a willing choice that people make. And if you think it's a choice, and if you think it's wrong, then just shut your damn mouth. Because every time you open your mouth about how sinful, how disgusting, how not normal, how against God and nature, or how strange it is, a young gay person hears it and sees it. They grow up thinking there is something wrong with them. They grow up depressed. They grow up trying to hide who they are. Then they decide to try and stop growing up by attempting suicide. It's estimated that 30-40% of LGBT youth try to kill themselves, around 4x higher than average. So yeah, it's a double standard. You shut up so kids don't kill themselves. Think it's wrong all you want, but shut your 17ing mouth. Sound outrageous? Think about how a young gay high school football player probably felt seeing Sam get drafted and then be able to kiss another boy on TV. Now think about how he felt when the majority of the fervor is about how that's gross, there's no place for that, and to keep that **** off TV. When you open your mouth and tell people about how you feel being gay is wrong, even if you try and word it nicely (hate the sin, love the sinner kind of thing), you are HURTING someone.

 

[jakldawg]

ESPN finds this behavior troubling

that given a host of well-respected options he had available like Outside The Lines, E:60, Bob Ley, Chris Connelly and a bevy of award-winning 30 for 30 directors, he went with Oprah like some me-first, distraction-causing questionable character.

 

[Miss.Stake]

You're missing the point about Micheal Sam only wanting to take football questions and concentrate on football. He is being a hypocrite and making out with your bf with cake all of each others faces is over the top. I don't care if it was AJ mccarron and Katherine Webb. It was cheesy and basically appeared to be contrived by the camera crew that was there whether it was or not. A simple kiss or a few moments of a deep kiss with his bf would have sufficed

 

[seshomoru]

I'll let him know how he's supposed to be gay so not to offend you.

nm

 

[CookieMonster.sixpack]

1. You could make that exact same argument in defense of pedophilia. Food for thought.

2. The suicide rate among LGBT aren't any higher in the U.S. than in several European countries that openly welcome and encourage homosexuality (Sweden being a prime example). It's reductionist to say that "bible-thumpers" are the reason a LGBT person commits suicide. The issue is far more complicated than that. But you go ahead and keep knocking that straw man down if it makes you feel good.

 

[seshomoru]

1. No you can't

Pedophilia has a victim. Gay relationships don't, and **** like that is EXACTLY what I'm talking about when I say you should shut your 17ing mouth. So some gay teenager now thinks he has something in common with a pedophile? Nice going *** hole. As for #2. Just because the government allows them rights doesn't mean they don't face bullying and have to hear ignorant ********. And hey, even if the effects of it aren't as severe as the studies show, you willing to take the chance that what you say about somebody might make them kill themselves? Just keep your mouth shut and go be miserable about the "gay agenda" in private.

 

[Miss.Stake]

Thanks

 

[thatsbaseball]

Do liberals always resort to name calling when confronted on a subject because they are born that way or is it by choice.

 

[johnson86-1]

Pedophilia has a victim. Gay relationships don't, and **** like that is EXACTLY what I'm talking about when I say you should shut your 17ing mouth. So some gay teenager now thinks he has something in common with a pedophile? Nice going *** hole.

That's sort of your fault for making a terrible argument. Not having a victim is a good reason that homosexual relationships between consenting adults are none of the government's business. But you made the argument that it could only be wrong if it was a choice to be gay. I've never studied pedophilia, but I kind of doubt people wake up one day and decide to choose to start being attracted to children. I also would prefer that gay people not compare themselves to pedophiles, but that's one reason I wouldnt' make the argument that it can't be wrong because they didn't choose to be gay. There are lots of people and types of people that are just wired wrong and do some terrible things as a result so telling people it can't be wrong because they are born that way is not going to be particularly comforting to anybody that thinks about it for more than a few seconds and is going to be distressing to a lot of people.

 

[johnson86-1]

that given a host of well-respected options he had available like Outside The Lines, E:60, Bob Ley, Chris Connelly and a bevy of award-winning 30 for 30 directors, he went with Oprah like some me-first, distraction-causing questionable character.

+1

 

[Miss.Stake]

zing* why he so mad tho

 

[aTotal360]

This is the dumbest thing I've ever read on this board.

Are you insinuating that it's the media's job to push content to us that we are uncomfortable with for the sake of "neutralizing" our beliefs? I really don't care that Micheal Sam is gay. What he does in his personal space is absolutely fine with me. I don't agree with the lifestyle, but it's his life and he should live like he wants.

Do you think everyone be comfortable with every 17ing thing on the planet? Are you comfortable with beastiality? If not, get online and start watching guys 17ing golden retrievers until you like it. I think beheadings in the Middle East need to be addressed, but I don't want them shown on TV either.

If you want to live in a sterile world where everyone likes everything, you are going to live a very disappointing life.