ESPN appears to have the exclusive answer to a huge sports question the public is just dying to know: Does Michael Sam shower with the rest of his team?
We already know how well Michael is adjusting to the role of sports star, but how is he getting along with his teammates? You know, considering the whole gay thing.
Well thank god ESPN is around to ask the tough questions. Like whether or not Michael Sam waits to take a shower alone as to not make the team uncomfortable. Don’t make us send Daniel Radcliffe in there to give the team diversity training, because you know we will.
Of course the reporter is quick to point out that he could be waiting to rinse off for “a million different reasons,” like hanging back to get more practice time or “riding his bike.”
It’s nice to know that professional locker rooms filled with million-dollar athletes operate just like 9th grade P.E.
Here’s the groundbreaking report:
Teeth
That it even gets reported on is kind of sick. But whatever Sam is doing, it’s working– he’s had a couple of hard ass tackles that would have been beyond his scope a month ago.
Dawson
Sports is very important to most societies.
Do we look at this as a teachable moment or do we call stupid for stupid stakes? I am actually conflicted. The reporter is obviously asking a question that most members of the GLBT community can’t believe someone would ask.
Yet the whole locker room issue is the most common issue raised about gays in the locker room. Is calling the reporter on his ignorance really how we should react? At first I was angry when I read this but after awhile I thought this is what some people are concerned about. Should we laugh this off or should we try to educate some very uneducated people?
Black Pegasus
Decades from now, people who aren’t yet born will look at some of the ignorance and bigotry that has filtrated our society and shake their heads with disgust. Really? A report on how homophobes are dealing with “the gay” in the locker room? Amazing.
Desert Boy
Michael Sam. An NFL player who also happens to be gay. He’s a strange and rarefied creature from another planet here to be studied under a microscope. Give me a fucking break.
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
This prurience is exactly what perpetuates his “othering” in the first place. Don’t make it a thing and it won’t be.
DickieJohnson
It’s rather silly that some think it “newsworthy”, but I think its very considerate on MS’s part, knowing there are some pretty ingnorant dumbf*cks on the team.
Kieran
Some of the big bad NFL players are scared that Michael Sam might sneak a peek at their pee-pees in the shower. Grow up already.
Bob LaBlah
I am beginning to believe that there is a conspiracy to run this kid out of football before he begins. I mean really, I don’t think not knowing this would have stopped the sun from rising in the morning.
stranded
@DickieJohnson: That’s something to consider, my first comment which may or may not be posted attacked the point of this story, but after reading what you said. I could see why they think this would be newsworthy to some.
lykeitiz
You mean he’s not just running around looking at wieners? He’s not taking selfies by their butts in the shower when they’re not looking? Wow, he must be taking this football stuff seriously.
chillbrutha82
This bitch should lose her fucking job!!! What goes on in the locker room has nothing to do with how he plays on the field. I don’t get it. When they aired him kissing his boyfriend, every bigot in the country had a heart attack. But when they talk about what may or may not be going on in the showers, nobody says a word. #getyourlife
Gigi Gee
I look forward to the day when this won’t be as big of a deal.
Masc Pride
Story is a bit misleading. It’s not like they created a whole segment just to talk about his showering with his teammates. They’re discussing his general integration. This IS actually interesting coverage. It’s all part of documenting the full scope of a gay player being integrated into pro-sports. Some of you guys want super-PC Disney versions of everything, but we should be seeing the good, bad and in between. It seems like ESPN is reporting that showering hasn’t been the issue some thought it would be. Like it or not, it’s something some people are curious about.
Kangol
Man, this was a stupid report. I give it to Michael Sam, though. Brotherman is keeping it classy and putting in the work. I hope he makes the Rams and shines!
arj
Who is this bimbo, and why can’t she keep both eyes open? Wonder who she showers with…..and is it contagious?
robertmuscatoman
When the day comes that an L?BT player is as common as interracial members on a sports team, then issues like the will be deemed stupid. But for the first openly gay member, it is a matter of interest, because a small misunderstanding on his actions in the shower room, can have an effect on his dealings with the team and group dynamics thereon. I am so happy to know that he is carrying himself well. And I am happy that the report was carefully worded to inform but not to belittle this reality that Michael has to go through.
Ryan Field
Fire them both…the reporters. Set an example so no one ever talks about a gay person this way in sports again.
enlightenone
Males of every stripe have been showering with males ever since an adult put us under a shower or for more than a few of us forced under a shower of every variety. Some people want to see and are curious about a lot of things, we still don’t show them! This should be one of them, especially since they are, by making this “reportable” portraying Mr. Sam as some kind of predator or pervert. See my original comment, it puts this silliness into perspective – a perspective that will not be reported by the hetero privileged or a female reporter like this person, and no one have put me in front of a mike to nip this in the bud.