Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in NFL history, isn't trying too hard to remain out of the limelight. The St. Louis Rams' seventh-round pick is reportedly in talks with Oprah Winfrey to discuss a reality television show that would air on Oprah's OWN network.
Larry Brown Sports reported: "A crew from OWN was at Sam's draft day Saturday in San Diego where ESPN broadcast him kissing his boyfriend on national TV after he was drafted. The crew will follow Sam throughout the late spring and summer as he attempts to earn a spot on the Rams roster."
Sam became one of the Draft's biggest stories, even overshadowing Johnny Manziel's selection in the first round, by planting a kiss on his boyfriend and breaking down in tears upon receiving a phone call from Rams brass that he would be their choice at No. 249.
Sam was a four-year player for the Missouri Tigers, improving each season and winning SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year Awards in his senior season. Last year he recorded 48 total tackles, 19 of which were for losses, and 11.5 sacks. He also forced two fumbles.
While Sam's jersey is second among rookie sales already behind Manziel, he joins a Rams team with perhaps the best defensive line in the NFL. They added a stud defensive tackle with their first-round pick, and seventh-round choices in general have a low success rate of earning roster spots.
His fame these days will not be a factor in whether he remains a Ram after training camp head coach Jeff Fisher said. "[W]e picked him within the process and we're going to reduce this roster within the process," Fisher said.
"So I don't see that being an issue. It's going to be very competitive for him, as it will be for some of the other guys, the later picks, because of the depth and the talent level at the position. He's going to have to come in, and like the rest of his new teammates, these rookies, they're not in shape. Not in the condition our veterans are in. He's going to have to work to get in great shape and we'll blend him in the offseason program and we'll go."
Hopefully for Sam he's up for that uphill climb-as heartwarming as his draft triumph was, seeing him cut so publically might be equally heartwrenching.
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