Just 13 weeks after becoming the first openly gay man to be drafted by the NFL, Michael Sam has reportedly been cut by the St. Louis Rams today, and will not play with the team in the upcoming season.
It is widely being reported that Sam lost his spot on the 53-man roster to fellow rookie Ethan Westbrooks, “one of nine defensive linemen the Rams kept.”
According to Outsports, he has 24 hours to be claimed by any of the other 31 teams in the NFL in order to become the first openly gay player drafted any accepted by the NFL. He will likely be picked up by one of the other teams, OS claims, and if he isn’t, “homophobia will be a key reason.”
OS reports on his progress in the league thus far:
Sam played quite well this preseason, in many ways better than the Rams would have predicted given where he was drafted, in part because he lost 13 pounds prior to camp and was quicker. He had 10.5 tackles and three sacks in the preseason, including two sacks of Johnny Manziel. In the preseason finale at Miami, Sam led the team with 5.5 tackles. But he lost out to Westbrooks, who rated higher than him in practice and games, according to most analysts, though Sam closed the gap in the final two preseason games.
Just yesterday, Sam told reporters: “I’m very confident I’ll be playing on a NFL roster this fall. I know I can play in this league.” Here’s hoping he gets the chance!
[Photo: Instagram]
robirob
I would be pleasantly surprised if he gets picked by some other team, but I believe it’s not a coincidence that he was picked by a team which had more than enough players for his position already.
michael mellor
Homophobia rules in the NFL. My information is that some of the Rams players – especially some of the black ones – may not have wanted him in the showers with them. I’m checking to see if this is true.
Xzamilio
@michael mellor: You’re checking to see if it’s true, but you’ll say it anyway… because even if it isn’t, you can’t unring that bell, right?
TriForceKid1013
@robirob Actually the fact that he was picked by the Rams who are deep and his position had little to do with him being cut. One thing that is always said in the NFL is you can never have enough pass rushers especially in a QB driven league(That’s how the Giants won both their Super Bowls). If he had shown to be better than the other rookie they kept over him then he would’ve made the team. He’s just not good enough at this point he’s not as fast, athletic, or strong as most at his position. He also doesn’t have a variety of pass rush moves or play special teams which is what most 7th round rookies are asked to do. He’s just not ready to be a starter yet does that mean he will never be no but he does need to improve.
MarionPaige
“First Openly Gay Player Drafted in N.F.L.”
Well, if the Gay Thang don’t work out, he might be able to go “Back to Black”.
jimontp
@TriForceKid1013: I didn’t know that about his lack of special teams play. It makes a BIG difference for new players. Yesterday, the SF 49ers lost their ProBowl pass rusher for more than half the season. What a perfect fit Sam in SF. Who knows? But the 49ers are loaded with high draft picks who also play special teams. Too bad, I’d love to see him get a couple of sacks against the Rams!
Black Pegasus
I read about this hours ago on ESPN.
Sam lost his position to some un-drafted rookie. I took a look at Michael Sam’s stats during the preseason, and he played well considering it was only preseason games and NONE of the players were risking injury by trying to out perform. I think the Rams already knew they were going to cut Sam. Maybe they were pressured to draft him by the commissioner, then do as they saw fit afterwards. I have a difficult time believing the SEC Defensive Player of the year doesn’t have what it takes to make a NFL roster.
TriForceKid1013
@jimontp: Yea they tried to give him special team reps but he just couldn’t do much with them.
TriForceKid1013
@Black Pegasus: I doubt they were pressured and I wish people would stop using the SEC defensive player of the year argument college success does not automatically mean you are going to be an NFL stud look at Johnny Manziel. He’s was a CO-Defensive Player of the year about if you look at my previous post you will see why he was cut. The undrafted rookie they choose plays special teams and showed more versatility in his abilities than Sam did. They didn’t just drop him and in fact gave him an opportunity that it looked like nobody else was going to he did almost go undrafted.
Tickerage
It’s great that he came out. Good for him, and that does make him a trailblazer. However; a) I’m not too keen on sports celebrities who make a living by playing a game; and b) if we are to be truly equal then people shouldn’t become instant celebrities just because of who they are or what their sexuality is. So, honestly, I really don’t care about this. Unless it is proven to be homophobia, then the Rams coaches have the right to do what they want.
money718
@michael mellor: Or he wasn’t that good. Which is what plenty of people were saying all along. Geez…
ppp111
@michael mellor:
Come on, don’t you think you’re jumping the gun here? I’m not doubting there’s homophobia in the NFL but Sam was given a chance and he just proved he didn’t have what it takes (yet). Personally, I see him being picked up by another team, perhaps as a reserve. On a side note, I think it’s interesting that the shower story came out a week before this. I’m not implying there might have been some connection but it’s interesting timing nonetheless.
michael mellor
ppp111,
Not at all. Sam was cut because of homophobia.
MarionPaige
” I think it’s interesting that the shower story came out a week before this”
A story about his showering habits and his original deal with OWN all went to show that Sam is a standalone celebrity, not something that was going to blend into the team as part of a group.
My point again is, why should Sam risk permanent injury and / or death when he is already a marketable brand? From what I’ve read, most people don’t last four years as a pro football player
TriForceKid1013
@michael mellor: You have no proof of this and I doubt there’s any truth to your first comment at all he wasn’t cut because of homophobia because if that was the case e wouldn’t have made it past the first set of cuts earlier in the week. No all the sudden everyone is a football scout when it come to a gay player.
stranded
@TriForceKid1013: don’t feed the troll. He’s just gonna keep going no matter what.
Dxley
That n*gger ain’t good! Now he can go back to his
n*gger-loving, gold digging, social climbing, size
queen whore of a boyfriend and we can all forget
he ever existed.
money718
@Dxley: Wtf?????
TriForceKid1013
@stranded: You’re right I’m new here but should still know better.
Blackceo
@Dxley:
What in the hell?!!! R*acist asshole.
michael mellor
Homophobic wives and girlfriends of the Rams players possibly played a role in Michael Sam’s rejection.
xzall
It looks like the decision to cut him was a football one. But I do wonder about their motivation in selecting him in the first place. Everyone said from the beginning that St. Louis had more than enough players for Michael Sam’s position so the odds were always against him making the team.
I can’t help thinking in terms of conspiracy– The NFL needed someone to pick Sam so they wouldn’t look homophobic, and what better than a team who already had more than enough options. They get the boost in publicity by looking like good guys and they get the boost in sales from his jersey so it’s a win win for the league.
We’ll see if any other team will pick him up now.
Geoff B
@michael mellor: Totally. It’s a well known fact in Chicago if Kristen Calivari doesn’t like you, you’ll never make the Bear’s final roster (sarc off). Sorry, but unless one of those wives is also the General Manager or an owner they have no say. He did a good job on a team with a great defense in the toughest divison in the league. Good isn’t enough. Now that other teams with a need for depth at his position (Oakland comes to mind) have seen him play (keep in mind he IS a good player) maybe he’ll get signed with one of those teams.
Bob LaBlah
Saint Louis is what it is: A country hick town trying to act like a big city.
jjose712
money718: Yes, but people only started to say he wasn’t that good after the coming out
michael mellor
There is a lot of homophobia in the NFL. Don’t deny it. It’s rampant. Michael Sam was not treated equally or fairly.
Xzamilio
@michael mellor: I take you have those sources available to confirm what you’ve been asserting with no evidence, correct? Homophobia obviously exists in the NFL and the other major sports leagues, but you can’t just keep throwing “Homophobia” around when a gay player doesn’t make the cut. Sam is a good player, but the rookie they chose is arguably better.
Xzamilio
@jjose712: The combine was already an indicator that he wasn’t that good… he tanked, plain and simple
jjose712
@Xzamilio: No, not that simple, everybody is saying his preseason was good, but the other rookie was better.
One thing is being cutted by the Rams, a team that is big on defense and other very different not being good enough to play NFL. Till now, only haters are saying that
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
Queerty you need to permanently ban @Dxley for his OVERT and extreme r@cist speech, or else your condoning that kind of environment, which is something your advertisers need to be made aware of.
Dxley
Oh, cry me a fucking river! The word ‘fag’ is also frequently used and it’s become desensitized, and I see no one complaining. Gays call other fags all the time and blacks also call each other n-ggers all the time. Why is it such an issue if a racial slur is used but it’s all well and good when a homophobic slur also gets used? Grow up! We should just do all the hypersensitive people a favor and just ban everything!
pressuredrop
@Bob LaBlah:
If you’ve ever been in an actual country hick town, or St. Louis, or both, I think you know that there’s no comparison.
TriForceKid1013
@jjose712: Actually it is that simple if you know anything about football and how the combine works it can make or break players. It can take an unknown and put them on the map or also show that a player with hype around him isn’t as good as advertised. Going into the combine Sam was projected to go between the 3-5 round anyway before coming out. He didn’t do himself any favors there and had a pretty bad showing so yes there were people saying he’d struggle at this level before he came out. It just so happens nobody knows that because most people on here(not saying you) started paying attention to him until he came out. Also while he may have “haters” most people saying these things are scouts whose jobs depend on picking the best players to help their team win a championship and they can’t worry about what the LGBT community will think just because they cut a guy who right now isn’t good enough for guys who are.
jd2222248
SHIT…….I hoping he would get picked-up by the Rams. It’s not over yet. 🙂
TriForceKid1013
Well the time frame for players who were cut yesterday to be claimed on waivers expired at noon so unless someone claimed him he’s free so sign to any teams practice squad or any active roster if offered or he could wait it out and see if a player happens to get injured and he get signed because of that.
Kangol
I was very sorry to hear that he didn’t make the team, but I hope another team picks him up. He does have skills and talent, and showed he really wants to play.
As for @Dxley‘s comments, this kind of hate speech not only reveals the r@cist Dxley is, but it degrades Queerty to keep it on here. Disgusting.
Tackle
By Queerty not banning @Dxley:, and not deleting his comments, it shows that Queerty is condoning this type of behavior, and violating his own comment policy. Read comment policy #1 and especially #3.
michael mellor
The Rams may not have wanted Michael Sam bringing his boyfriend to club functions. A lot of the players’ wives and girlfriends are opposed to male homosexuality. Black culture is very anti-gay.
money718
@michael mellor: Will you shut-up troll lol
TriForceKid1013
@money718: Haha I wish he would too all he is basically saying over and over again are mean girls and blacks don’t want Sam in the NFL facts be damned.
Saint Law
@Dxley: Shut up, shitbreath.
Saint Law
@michael mellor: You write about human society like a not-very-bright visitor from another planet. Please go back there.
offbeatoh86
I’m not surprised Sam was cut. The Rams already have several good linebackers.
Daniel-Reader
Really the question is… how can a business that operates in states with employment nondiscrimination laws violate those state nondiscrimination laws for so many years without a multibillion dollar class action lawsuit?
Black Pegasus
Welp, as of the time of this post, Michael Sam is officially without a team.
None of the 31 teams picked up Sam in the 24hr period following his release from the Rams. He has not been signed to the 10 man practice squad either, which means he’s now without a pay check and no real possibility to play in the NFL. All he can do now is stay in shape with the hope of a team requiring his services someday, or try out for the Canadian League.
And anyone still claiming this has nothing to do with the rampant homophobia that exists within the NFL, then you are a delusional queen.
michael mellor
Homophobia rules in the NFL.
sangsue
@Dxley:
DIAF. Do the world a favor and FOAD.
sangsue
@michael mellor:
I had a black girlfriend and it was her mother who had the big problem with me. Not because I was white. Not because I am Jewish. But because I was a woman. She tried to kill herself and I saved her life but since it was South Carolina, by law her mother could ban me for knowing what hospital she was in and lied to be and told me that when she was released, she’d be living with her Dad and just forget about her. She called me when she was out of the hospital and even though this was 7 years ago she lives with her folks right now and I am STILL persona non grata and she has to sneak around to talk to me. Even though I’m not her GF anymore, apparently even friendship is too dangerous. So yes, it’s not welcome for gays or lesbians.
TriForceKid1013
@Black Pegasus: I’m curious did you watch a single down Sam played this preseason or did you just look it up after you saw he was cut. He plays defensive end only not linebacker like some in here seem to think. All be can do is rush the passer which is why he was cut. He doesn’t play special teams and he can’t stand up a drop into coverage to cover tightends. That right there means he’s only a fit for teams who play a 4-3 base defense which there are 14 out of 32 who do. So again until he improves on his skill set teams aren’t just gonna say hey come sign with our team and take a roster spot from someone with more skills. As far as practice squads go they go both ways he has a choice to sign or not and if he feels he’s ready to play he may not want to sign to a practice squad just to do it. How many of the people like you in here bitching actually watch football or sports period or do you just see a gay player isn’t on a team and assume he’s a lights out player who just isn’t getting a far shot. Lets be real he’s not Clay Matthews, Demarcus Ware, Von Miller, Aldon Smith or any other elite passer rusher he’s just not that good yet. I think you and every saying things like that are the delusional ones.
TriForceKid1013
Apologies for the long ass rant
xzall
@TriForceKid1013: I’m no football expert but from what I’ve read he’s not being offered any spots even on a practice team. And several sports blogs have said that’s unusual. He had 11 tackles and 3 sacs. He was one of 12 guys to do so. Out of those 12 guys, 10 were signed to a team and 1 was signed to a practice team. The only person not signed to any was Michael Sam.
In addition, the sports reporter knew of teams who would have a specific need for someone with Sam’s skills. They questioned Atlanta why they didn’t sign him and they came up with what they characterized as bullshit. They think that the reason why he’s out was they heard that many of the teams just didn’t want the distraction. They were not looking at him as an individual player but as someone who’d bring them unwanted publicity.
In the end, it does look like Michael Sam was not signed anywhere due in part to the fact he’s gay and that his NFL career is basically over.
ppp111
@xzall:
I was gonna reply that we may be jumping to conclusions since the season hasn’t officially started yet. But from what I’ve read from several sites, it does seem to show that his NFL prospects seem to be dimming rapidly each passing day. I hope those naysayers are wrong; it would be nice to see him even on a practice squad. That being said, I hope he doesn’t give up. I can’t imagine someone of his skills, marginal as they are, to not be on a practice squad.
I hope that his lack of appeal isn’t because he’s gay. I’m still inclined to believe that his skills just fell short of what your average NFL team wants. From what I’ve read, the Rams treated him very well and there hasn’t been any problems, at least none that I’ve read. Of course, we don’t know what’s happened with all those backroom dealings so we can only speculate.
If the NFL doesn’t work out, I hope he considers the Canadian league. At least he can try to live out his dream in the great North.
ppp111
I’d also like to add that I wonder how the closeted players are reacting to all this. I’d love to hear what their thoughts might be. I remember reading on a blog some years ago that most closeted athletes stay silent until they see how an openly gay athlete will be treated. If it goes well, many would follow his example but if it becomes disastrous, many said they would stay in the closet for the rest of their playing time. It will be interesting to see how this will play out.
bottom72
I hope you find a new team sweetheart. I don’t know anything about football but I wish you all the best.
TriForceKid1013
@xzall: While that may be true do you how many 7th round draft picks are cut ever year and never make a team. While part of it may be because he’s gay an even bigger part is because he not that good yet. There is a pass rusher named Cameron Wake who went through the same thing went to Canada improved his game and is now one of the better pass rushers in the league. Do you seriously think of he was a top tier play like those I mentioned he wouldn’t be on a team because he’s gay. That’s like saying if Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, Darrell Revis, Jimmy Graham, or Calvin Johnson came out their teams would drop them I don’t buy that if the talent is their they’ll but up with any distraction. It’s the same thing that happened with Jason Collions dude was horrible his whole career than came out and that’s was the reason nobody signed him. Not because he averaged 0.3 points a game, I just think it crazy how he asks to be treated like any other player now he is and everyone has a problem with it 700 players were cut that day tell me how many of them didn’t get a practice squad offer.
TriForceKid1013
@xzall: All that is media speculation because they have to keep this story in the news I’m sure a good majority of these people making these decisions have gay people in their families and do people honestly think there aren’t people who are out to there team and coaches and they don’t care. There’s been former players who are on record as saying such things have happened before and if was no big deal to the team and those in charge Sam may be the first open player but he’s not the first gay player to came out to his team first and just not the media.
Tackle
@TriForceKid1013: I see you know what you are talking about, and one of the few making sense here. All this talk about him not making the team because he’s gay is BS. If one can produce, regardless of sexual orientation and can take a tean all the way, they would be signed: Plain and simple. Too many gays had an emotional investment in Sam in him becoming the first openly gay player in the NFL. And since it apparently did not work out, they want to blame everyone and everything except Sam’s current lack of ability.
xzall
@Tackle: If you don’t see the fact that he can’t even make a practice is because he’s gay it may be because you’re willfully blind. Michael Sam may not be the greatest player out there but it’s ridiculous to act like he currently lacks ability. As was pointed out, the other people with similar stats were either signed or made the practice team. AS the writer for the Atlanta Journal pointed out, not even the pass rush STARVED Atlanta Falcons made a move for Michael Sam. He was not even considered for the practice squad.
As he also pointed out, those who did LESS than Sam–getting 2 sacs, most of them have been signed with several on practice squads.
The truth of the matter is that Michael Sam did not make it because his abilities didn’t add up to enough to put up with the distraction of him being gay. That’s treating him different than any other player and that’s the essence of discrimination.
What the so called NFL experts on this site and elsewhere are saying is that in order for someone to be gay and signed up for the NFL, they have to have EXTRAORDINARY abilities. That the gay player has to be better than anyone else in order to get a job. That’s discrimination.
And it wouldn’t surprise me to hear that St. Louis was pressured to take Michael Sam, knowing they had no need for his position, just to shut up gay activists. Just so they can have people like some on here and outside say, look we gave him a chance.
xzall
Just to be clear on what this is about, this is what Peter King, the senior football writer for Sports Illustrated said about the matter.
“”I talked to three [NFL] team architects over the weekend. They’re concerned about the circus coming to town with the first openly gay player trying to make an NFL roster.”
That’s what he found out when he spoke to people who made the decision and clearly it wasn’t about Michael Sam the player, but Michael Sam the gay player who’s going to bring them unwanted attention.
TriForceKid1013
@xzall: You do realize that’s how they get clicks for people to read their stuff I find it more telling that people are afraid to say he’s just not good enough right now. I’m about to say something that all of us gay people need to think about and take into consideration.
Has it crossed any of you people who are backing him minds that maybe this is exactly what he wanted. Funny how he comes out before the combine and draft to say he’s gay knowing what is going to come of it. If he would’ve come out publicly in college before having the season he did this would be a completely different conversation. Instead he did because its not that hard to be a great player in college doesn’t mean you’re gonna be great in the pros. Also that publicity stint he pulled signing up for a reality show before getting drafted now what would we all think if he came out and didn’t get picked now that makes for good tv right there and then when he was drafted that bs with the cake smearing on the face by him and his bf(the kissing didn’t bother me because everyone does that). Now think about this his combine(not very good) and do you think his preseason would’ve been different rather he came out or not but here’s the thing if all of you are to be believed he would’ve gone higher and be on a roster now if he were straight. Well think about this if he hadn’t have come out and still got cut what then would be the reason then (it happens to straight players all the time)his ability didn’t go away because he came out it is what it always was perhaps he was covering his ass on the off chance he wasn’t good enough to make it on the next level.
People are so quick to jump on his stats and they are good but he put up those stats against other people who surprise also got cut and again he is a one dimensional player. He wasn’t putting up elite numbers against starters and they said you know what fuck it you’re an excellent talent but you’re gay so we’re gonna have to cut you.
Now imagine if any of these sports writers came out and said he’s not good enough yet he need to improve more the whole LGBT community would flip a bitch. There is no 100 percent right answer either way it is part that he’s gay and that he’s not that great of player yet. But I can say if he was a great player and gay he’d be playing so it’s not that he has to be great and gay to be playing but he has to be be great. Decent to marginal straight players get cut all the time that’s just how sports work if you good enough they’ll make room.
TriForceKid1013
Sorry posting from my phone at work.
TriForceKid1013
Update for all you people crying homophobia in the NFL the Dallas Cowboys are bringing him in tomorrow for a physical and if he passes that they are expected to sign him to their practice squad.(I’m sure you guys knew that tho because you follow football and not just 1 player lol). So maybe it’s better to let things play out first before getting your panties in a bunch.
xzall
I think there was a lot of pressure from the NFL after the allegations of homophobia was being reported. The story out is that Dallas received a call from the top, Jerry Jones, on getting them to sign Sam. What you call getting your panties in a bunch is probably what went towards accomplishing this. Sitting around pretending homophobia or racism doesn’t exist only leads to the status quo. You sometimes need to make some noise to get things done.
TriForceKid1013
@xzall: As far as making noise to get things done again if he was a top talent you’d have a point he’s not and all these reporters don’t get paid to scout they get paid to report remember that will you’re reading their bs articles about this. No noise needed to be made because the process hadn’t played out yet they haven’t even played to first game of the season yet.
xzall
This Time article headlines says it all: “Dallas Cowboys Sign Michael Sam, Save NFL From Stupidity”
It includes quotes given when some of the teams were asked why they didn’t sign him: “In interviews with a number of team officials, I can’t find one who will actually say to me, “He can’t play.” They all point to the media and say he’s too big a distraction.
One general manager told me, “Teams want to sign Michael Sam but fear the media attention.”
So it’s OBVIOUS his playing abilities were not the issue and as this article started off saying : “The whole thing was starting to stink. “
xzall
Also should add, no matter the reason why, it’s great that Dallas stepped up to the plate and is giving Michael Sam a chance. It looks like their team could use him too.
TriForceKid1013
@xzall: Except for the fact he hasn’t been signed yet. Again if you actually follow more than the latest articles that come out about it you’d know there are scouts as well as gm’s who have said he is not ready to play yet. Congrats to him and I hope his trip to Dallas goes well and he does end up signing that way we will see if he’s actually good enough because if he can’t eventually make the Cowboys rosters than something is really wrong.