Missouri football player Michael Sam is gay (1 Viewer)

[SacramentoBob]

From the comments section of the Deadspin piece about Sam:

http://deadspin.com/whats-going-on-with-michael-sam-1711132137

HammertimeaKevin Draper

6/13/15 4:39pm

For what its worth, something may be going on with Michaels fiancee, Vito. He hasnt been on social media since the 11th and he has some major familial issues that hes dealing with.

Edited to add. It doesn't seem permanent:

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/michael-sam-leaves-alouettes-for-personal-reasons--will-he-be-back--211658622.html

The story of Michael Sam, the first openly-gay player in the CFL, took an unusual twist Friday afternoon. Sam didn't appear for the team's workout (to the apparent surprise of head coach Tom Higgins), and was later spotted in the airport by Montreal radio broadcaster Rick Moffat. Moffat tweeted that Sam said he was heading home to Texas for personal reasons, but only had a small bag with him, suggesting he wasn't leaving for good:

Rick Moffat ‎@RickMoffat

Just bumped into him at Trudeau @HerbZurkowsky1, headed home for personal reasons.

Only small Cotton Bowl bag with him. #CFL #Alouettes

He's an expert in packing.

 

[Sinn Fein]

A source told Zurkowsky that Sam left the team after "pouting" due to his poor play in camp. Another source said the chances of Sam returning to Montreal were "nonexistent." Details for the reasoning behind those comments were vague but focused largely on Sam being ill-prepared for camp and taking issue with comments from a teammate about his disappointing play.

I, for one, am shocked at how this has turned out.

 

[jon_mx]

There is always reality TV.

 

[Hang 10]

From the comments section of the Deadspin piece about Sam:

http://deadspin.com/whats-going-on-with-michael-sam-1711132137

HammertimeaKevin Draper

6/13/15 4:39pm

For what its worth, something may be going on with Michaels fiancee, Vito. He hasnt been on social media since the 11th and he has some major familial issues that hes dealing with.

Edited to add. It doesn't seem permanent:

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/michael-sam-leaves-alouettes-for-personal-reasons--will-he-be-back--211658622.html

The story of Michael Sam, the first openly-gay player in the CFL, took an unusual twist Friday afternoon. Sam didn't appear for the team's workout (to the apparent surprise of head coach Tom Higgins), and was later spotted in the airport by Montreal radio broadcaster Rick Moffat. Moffat tweeted that Sam said he was heading home to Texas for personal reasons, but only had a small bag with him, suggesting he wasn't leaving for good:

Rick Moffat ‎@RickMoffat

Just bumped into him at Trudeau @HerbZurkowsky1, headed home for personal reasons.

Only small Cotton Bowl bag with him. #CFL #Alouettes

A small cotton bag? That's code for purse.

 

[fantasycurse42]

From the comments section of the Deadspin piece about Sam:

http://deadspin.com/whats-going-on-with-michael-sam-1711132137

HammertimeaKevin Draper

6/13/15 4:39pm

For what its worth, something may be going on with Michaels fiancee, Vito. He hasnt been on social media since the 11th and he has some major familial issues that hes dealing with.

Edited to add. It doesn't seem permanent:

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/michael-sam-leaves-alouettes-for-personal-reasons--will-he-be-back--211658622.html

The story of Michael Sam, the first openly-gay player in the CFL, took an unusual twist Friday afternoon. Sam didn't appear for the team's workout (to the apparent surprise of head coach Tom Higgins), and was later spotted in the airport by Montreal radio broadcaster Rick Moffat. Moffat tweeted that Sam said he was heading home to Texas for personal reasons, but only had a small bag with him, suggesting he wasn't leaving for good:

Rick Moffat ‎@RickMoffat

Just bumped into him at Trudeau @HerbZurkowsky1, headed home for personal reasons.

Only small Cotton Bowl bag with him. #CFL #Alouettes

The first openly gay player in the NFL and CFL, what are the odds of that

 

[TLEF316]

A source told Zurkowsky that Sam left the team after "pouting" due to his poor play in camp. Another source said the chances of Sam returning to Montreal were "nonexistent." Details for the reasoning behind those comments were vague but focused largely on Sam being ill-prepared for camp and taking issue with comments from a teammate about his disappointing play.

I, for one, am shocked at how this has turned out.

If that's really what happened, Sam has basically destroyed any chance of the next gay player (or rather, the next one who actually has the ability/drive to be a pro football player) of getting a fair shot. Everything he has done has gone against his whole "I just want to be a football player" mantra. He's basically supporting the opinion (that you know some teams/execs/fans have) that a gay player isn't worth the trouble and will just be a distraction.

 

[jon_mx]

A source told Zurkowsky that Sam left the team after "pouting" due to his poor play in camp. Another source said the chances of Sam returning to Montreal were "nonexistent." Details for the reasoning behind those comments were vague but focused largely on Sam being ill-prepared for camp and taking issue with comments from a teammate about his disappointing play.

I, for one, am shocked at how this has turned out.

If that's really what happened, Sam has basically destroyed any chance of the next gay player (or rather, the next one who actually has the ability/drive to be a pro football player) of getting a fair shot. Everything he has done has gone against his whole "I just want to be a football player" mantra. He's basically supporting the opinion (that you know some teams/execs/fans have) that a gay player isn't worth the trouble and will just be a distraction.

That was kind of obvious from the whole Oprah deal and the cake smashing nonsense. He was a sideshow. He set back gays by reinforcing stereotype. Of course he was declared a hero here by many way too prematurely.

 

[squistion]

A source told Zurkowsky that Sam left the team after "pouting" due to his poor play in camp. Another source said the chances of Sam returning to Montreal were "nonexistent." Details for the reasoning behind those comments were vague but focused largely on Sam being ill-prepared for camp and taking issue with comments from a teammate about his disappointing play.

I, for one, am shocked at how this has turned out.

If that's really what happened, Sam has basically destroyed any chance of the next gay player (or rather, the next one who actually has the ability/drive to be a pro football player) of getting a fair shot. Everything he has done has gone against his whole "I just want to be a football player" mantra. He's basically supporting the opinion (that you know some teams/execs/fans have) that a gay player isn't worth the trouble and will just be a distraction.

That was kind of obvious from the whole Oprah deal and the cake smashing nonsense. He was a sideshow. He set back gays by reinforcing stereotype. Of course he was declared a hero here by many way too prematurely.

Contrary to your opinion, I have yet to see or read about anyone in the LGBT community saying that he set back the gay rights movement. If it turns out that his pro football career is a bust (and it seems to be heading in that direction) it won't alter the fact that he was the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team, which is an historic milestone irrespective of whether ever plays a down in a regular season game. And his coming out (which severely limited his opportunities in the NFL IMO) was what was viewed as heroic by many people and a failed NFL career doesn't really change that.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Well, no one is going to come out and say he hurt the movement, but he sure didn't help it. I do think many teams will be hesitant to draft a marginal prospect who is openly gay, fearing another sideshow like we saw from Sam. That is unfortunate, but teams don't want distractions from anybody, and if you are a fringe prospect, it is often the thing that tilts it not in your favor.

 

[Sinn Fein]

A source told Zurkowsky that Sam left the team after "pouting" due to his poor play in camp. Another source said the chances of Sam returning to Montreal were "nonexistent." Details for the reasoning behind those comments were vague but focused largely on Sam being ill-prepared for camp and taking issue with comments from a teammate about his disappointing play.

I, for one, am shocked at how this has turned out.

If that's really what happened, Sam has basically destroyed any chance of the next gay player (or rather, the next one who actually has the ability/drive to be a pro football player) of getting a fair shot. Everything he has done has gone against his whole "I just want to be a football player" mantra. He's basically supporting the opinion (that you know some teams/execs/fans have) that a gay player isn't worth the trouble and will just be a distraction.

That was kind of obvious from the whole Oprah deal and the cake smashing nonsense. He was a sideshow. He set back gays by reinforcing stereotype. Of course he was declared a hero here by many way too prematurely.

Contrary to your opinion, I have yet to see or read about anyone in the LGBT community saying that he set back the gay rights movement. If it turns out that his pro football career is a bust (and it seems to be heading in that direction) it won't alter the fact that he was the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team, which is an historic milestone irrespective of whether ever plays a down in a regular season game. And his coming out (which severely limited his opportunities in the NFL IMO) was what was viewed as heroic by many people and a failed NFL career doesn't really change that.

He can only be drafted by one team - which he was. So he got exactly the same opportunity as he would have had he kept in the closet. Once he was drafted it was a football decision - he simply is not good enough, or apparently put in the work (based on his decisions regarding coming into camp ready to go). Being gay did not hurt him - if anything that was the reason he was drafted in the first place.

 

[squistion]

A source told Zurkowsky that Sam left the team after "pouting" due to his poor play in camp. Another source said the chances of Sam returning to Montreal were "nonexistent." Details for the reasoning behind those comments were vague but focused largely on Sam being ill-prepared for camp and taking issue with comments from a teammate about his disappointing play.

I, for one, am shocked at how this has turned out.

If that's really what happened, Sam has basically destroyed any chance of the next gay player (or rather, the next one who actually has the ability/drive to be a pro football player) of getting a fair shot. Everything he has done has gone against his whole "I just want to be a football player" mantra. He's basically supporting the opinion (that you know some teams/execs/fans have) that a gay player isn't worth the trouble and will just be a distraction.

That was kind of obvious from the whole Oprah deal and the cake smashing nonsense. He was a sideshow. He set back gays by reinforcing stereotype. Of course he was declared a hero here by many way too prematurely.

Contrary to your opinion, I have yet to see or read about anyone in the LGBT community saying that he set back the gay rights movement. If it turns out that his pro football career is a bust (and it seems to be heading in that direction) it won't alter the fact that he was the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team, which is an historic milestone irrespective of whether ever plays a down in a regular season game. And his coming out (which severely limited his opportunities in the NFL IMO) was what was viewed as heroic by many people and a failed NFL career doesn't really change that.

He can only be drafted by one team - which he was. So he got exactly the same opportunity as he would have had he kept in the closet. Once he was drafted it was a football decision - he simply is not good enough, or apparently put in the work (based on his decisions regarding coming into camp ready to go). Being gay did not hurt him - if anything that was the reason he was drafted in the first place.

We don't know that. And the only way to know for sure would to rerun history and this time he stays in the closet. Maybe he would have been drafted much earlier (as previous SEC defensive players of the year had been). Maybe he would have been picked up by someone else after being cut by the Cowboys as there would have been no distraction factor, no circus atmosphere to deal with. Or maybe he wouldn't have drafted at all and never made even a practice squad. It is all speculation.

 

[EYLive]

"Heroic"... So stupid.

 

[jonessed]

If he wasn't good enough for the CFL he was lucky to even get drafted by the NFL.

 

[Joe Summer]

Well, no one is going to come out and say he hurt the movement, but he sure didn't help it.

He was the first NFL draft prospect to come out of the closet. That decision alone helped "the movement" far more than anything that came afterward.

I do think many teams will be hesitant to draft a marginal prospect who is openly gay, fearing another sideshow like we saw from Sam.

Most of the "sideshow" was invented by message board posters. The Cowboys and Rams certainly had no complaints about any sideshows. And it's becoming more and more evident that Sam failed to make the NFL for performance reasons, NOT because he was a distraction.

I do agree that Sam would be doing "the movement" a disservice by quitting on his current team, but I don't think that would erase the progress that happened when he came out.

 

[jon_mx]

A source told Zurkowsky that Sam left the team after "pouting" due to his poor play in camp. Another source said the chances of Sam returning to Montreal were "nonexistent." Details for the reasoning behind those comments were vague but focused largely on Sam being ill-prepared for camp and taking issue with comments from a teammate about his disappointing play.

I, for one, am shocked at how this has turned out.

If that's really what happened, Sam has basically destroyed any chance of the next gay player (or rather, the next one who actually has the ability/drive to be a pro football player) of getting a fair shot. Everything he has done has gone against his whole "I just want to be a football player" mantra. He's basically supporting the opinion (that you know some teams/execs/fans have) that a gay player isn't worth the trouble and will just be a distraction.

That was kind of obvious from the whole Oprah deal and the cake smashing nonsense. He was a sideshow. He set back gays by reinforcing stereotype. Of course he was declared a hero here by many way too prematurely.

Contrary to your opinion, I have yet to see or read about anyone in the LGBT community saying that he set back the gay rights movement. If it turns out that his pro football career is a bust (and it seems to be heading in that direction) it won't alter the fact that he was the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team, which is an historic milestone irrespective of whether ever plays a down in a regular season game. And his coming out (which severely limited his opportunities in the NFL IMO) was what was viewed as heroic by many people and a failed NFL career doesn't really change that.

He can only be drafted by one team - which he was. So he got exactly the same opportunity as he would have had he kept in the closet. Once he was drafted it was a football decision - he simply is not good enough, or apparently put in the work (based on his decisions regarding coming into camp ready to go). Being gay did not hurt him - if anything that was the reason he was drafted in the first place.

We don't know that. And the only way to know for sure would to rerun history and this time he stays in the closet. Maybe he would have been drafted much earlier (as previous SEC defensive players of the year had been). Maybe he would have been picked up by someone else after being cut by the Cowboys as there would have been no distraction factor, no circus atmosphere to deal with. Or maybe he wouldn't have drafted at all and never made even a practice squad. It is all speculation.

 

[Hang 10]

Well, no one is going to come out and say he hurt the movement, but he sure didn't help it.

He was the first NFL draft prospect to come out of the closet. That decision alone helped "the movement" far more than anything that came afterward.

I do think many teams will be hesitant to draft a marginal prospect who is openly gay, fearing another sideshow like we saw from Sam.

Most of the "sideshow" was invented by message board posters. The Cowboys and Rams certainly had no complaints about any sideshows. And it's becoming more and more evident that Sam failed to make the NFL for performance reasons, NOT because he was a distraction.

I do agree that Sam would be doing "the movement" a disservice by quitting on his current team, but I don't think that would erase the progress that happened when he came out.

The rams had no complaints? Didn't they kill the Oprah show?

 

[Sinn Fein]

I believe I know what happened to Sam—why he suddenly bolted from his last, great chance to be a professional football player.

Some of you, holding a predisposition to dislike Sam because he's gay, won't understand what I'm about to say. Some of you, who understand nuance and human frailty, will get it.

I believe that Sam has reached this point—where he left the CFL's Montreal Alouettes last week with little explanation to the team—because the pressure of being the first finally got to him. In this case, the pressure that came from becoming the first openly gay NFL player.

JFC! Why do we have all the excuse-making?

The bottom line is he was not as committed to being a professional football player as his peers. Those guys weren't smashing cakes on their girlfriends on draft day, or making plans for a reality show, or dancing with stars instead of preparing for combines, or coming to camp not prepared to battle for a job.

It has nothing to do with his sexuality, and everything to do with his talent and drive to make it as a professional football player.

 

[TobiasFunke]

I believe I know what happened to Sam—why he suddenly bolted from his last, great chance to be a professional football player.

Some of you, holding a predisposition to dislike Sam because he's gay, won't understand what I'm about to say. Some of you, who understand nuance and human frailty, will get it.

I believe that Sam has reached this point—where he left the CFL's Montreal Alouettes last week with little explanation to the team—because the pressure of being the first finally got to him. In this case, the pressure that came from becoming the first openly gay NFL player.

JFC! Why do we have all the excuse-making?

The bottom line is he was not as committed to being a professional football player as his peers. Those guys weren't smashing cakes on their girlfriends on draft day, or making plans for a reality show, or dancing with stars instead of preparing for combines, or coming to camp not prepared to battle for a job.

It has nothing to do with his sexuality, and everything to do with his talent and drive to make it as a professional football player.

I'd love to hear more about how you know this, and also why you think it matters.

 

[Tom Servo]

I believe I know what happened to Sam—why he suddenly bolted from his last, great chance to be a professional football player.

Some of you, holding a predisposition to dislike Sam because he's gay, won't understand what I'm about to say. Some of you, who understand nuance and human frailty, will get it.

I believe that Sam has reached this point—where he left the CFL's Montreal Alouettes last week with little explanation to the team—because the pressure of being the first finally got to him. In this case, the pressure that came from becoming the first openly gay NFL player.

JFC! Why do we have all the excuse-making?

The bottom line is he was not as committed to being a professional football player as his peers. Those guys weren't smashing cakes on their girlfriends on draft day, or making plans for a reality show, or dancing with stars instead of preparing for combines, or coming to camp not prepared to battle for a job.

It has nothing to do with his sexuality, and everything to do with his talent and drive to make it as a professional football player.

I'd love to hear more about how you know this, and also why you think it matters.

No you don't.

 

[SacramentoBob]

I believe I know what happened to Sam—why he suddenly bolted from his last, great chance to be a professional football player.

Some of you, holding a predisposition to dislike Sam because he's gay, won't understand what I'm about to say. Some of you, who understand nuance and human frailty, will get it.

I believe that Sam has reached this point—where he left the CFL's Montreal Alouettes last week with little explanation to the team—because the pressure of being the first finally got to him. In this case, the pressure that came from becoming the first openly gay NFL player.

JFC! Why do we have all the excuse-making?

The bottom line is he was not as committed to being a professional football player as his peers. Those guys weren't smashing cakes on their girlfriends on draft day, or making plans for a reality show, or dancing with stars instead of preparing for combines, or coming to camp not prepared to battle for a job.

It has nothing to do with his sexuality, and everything to do with his talent and drive to make it as a professional football player.

Maybe if he were more manly, this wouldn't have been a problem.

 

[Fennis]

Michael Sam is a hero

 

[squistion]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/27/michael-sam-confirms-hes-back-with-the-montreal-alouettes/

Michael Sam confirms hes back with the Montreal Alouettes

Michael Sam has still not explained why he left the Montreal Alouettes just before the Canadian Football League season began. But hes back now.

Sam wrote on Twitter today that he has re-joined the team after a two-week absence.

"Thank you all so much for your support. Great to be back in Montreal with the club. Lets go #Als!" he wrote.

Sam, the 2013 SEC defensive player of the year, became the first openly gay player drafted by the NFL when he was selected by the Rams in the seventh round last year. He was cut after the preseason and didnt play in the regular season. He is now attempting to become the first openly gay player in the CFL.

The Alouettes are 0-1, having lost the season-opener to the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday night.

 

[squistion]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/08/michael-sam-makes-cfl-debut/

Michael Sam makes CFL debut

Michael Sam has officially become pro footballs first openly gay player, making his debut for the Canadian Football Leagues Montreal Alouettes on Friday night.

Sam, a seventh-round draft pick of the Rams last year who has not been able to make an NFL regular-season roster, played sparingly and did not have an impact as the Alouettes lost to the Ottawa Redblacks.

"I love football," Sam said. "I was nervous when I first got on the field. . . . I didnt get many opportunities to make any plays. I had some good pass rushes, I thought, but close is not a sack."

Sam left the Alouettes during training camp for still-unexplained personal reasons and has been buried on the depth chart since then. But getting on the field on Friday night represents progress, both for Sam personally and for the game of football.

 

[grateful zed]

Alouettes

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/08/michael-sam-makes-cfl-debut/

Michael Sam makes CFL debut

Michael Sam has officially become pro footballs first openly gay player, making his debut for the Canadian Football Leagues Montreal Alouettes on Friday night.

Sam, a seventh-round draft pick of the Rams last year who has not been able to make an NFL regular-season roster, played sparingly and did not have an impact as the Alouettes lost to the Ottawa Redblacks.

"I love football," Sam said. "I was nervous when I first got on the field. . . . I didnt get many opportunities to make any plays. I had some good pass rushes, I thought, but close is not a sack."

Sam left the Alouettes during training camp for still-unexplained personal reasons and has been buried on the depth chart since then. But getting on the field on Friday night represents progress, both for Sam personally and for the game of football.

That's funny, I actually watched some of that game. I didn't even hear his name.

It's funny, though, a FB scored a TD and then the camera turned to him and he shouted something in French. - Gottaluv the CFL.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Michael Sam a non-factor in debut as Alouettes lose to RedblacksOTTAWA — It was an historic night in the Canadian Football League — the debut of rookie rush-end Michael Sam, the first openly-gay player drafted by an NFL team and the first, of course, to play north of the border.

Sam, who saw limited time, predictably proved to be a non factor, having not played since performing in exhibition games for the St. Louis Rams a year ago.

And now that his much-anticipated opening game is out of the way, we can return to our regularly-scheduled programming.

...

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/football/cfl/montreal-alouettes/michael-sam-a-non-factor-in-debut-as-alouettes-lose-to-redblacks

The Snap: So what was all the fuss about with Sam?...Sam played sparingly, lining up on the boundary side of the line. Twelve snaps in his debut. He got on the field for the first time during the Redblacks’ second offensive series. He failed to register a tackle and was badly fooled on a play-action pass in the third quarter, Henry Burris faking the handoff, instead throwing 11 yards to fullback Patrick Lavoie for a touchdown.

...

For a rookie who remains relatively new to this team – on top of someone who walked out on his teammates for two weeks at training camp, requesting permission to leave for personal reasons – Sam waxed poetically about the problems that seem to be plaguing this 2-4 team.

“This team’s going through some adversity. We need to come together and bounce back,” he said. “Only great teams bounce back through adversity. We have to find out what we’re missing.”

Some of the Als’ problems specifically concern Sam. When he was allowed to return, and once the regular-season began, Sam immediately went on the team’s 46-man roster. So, while he hasn’t dressed for games, Sam has collected his game cheque on a weekly basis – still having failed to prove anything.

He should have been placed on the practice roster instead, but the organization has completely mishandled the scenario and Sam has become a distraction. He doesn’t play on special teams and isn’t considered competent. Privately, more and more players are criticizing the preferential treatment he has received.

What happens now, moving forward? Head coach Tom Higgins already indicated after the game Sam would be in the lineup again next Thursday, when the Als entertain Edmonton. While Darrin Kitchens, who plays the same position, suffered an undisclosed injury that Higgins said isn’t considered serious, rush-end Aaron Lavarias also is due to come off the six-game injured list.

Lavarias deserves to play – as does Kitchens, if he’s healthy. He has done nothing to warrant being benched.

“It’s nice that (Sam) got his feet wet. It’s nice that he got the first game behind him,” Higgins said.

Nonetheless, we can’t help but believing this is a problem that will continue festering unless Sam displays vast improvement. Quickly.

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/football/cfl/montreal-alouettes/the-snap-so-what-was-all-the-fuss-about-with-sam

- The TD to Lavoie was the one I mentioned above, I did not even notice Sam was rushing on the play. I actually saw that TD, Burris had a ton of space and wasn't pressured at all as he found Lavoie wide open in the flat, he dodged one Ottawa DB before strolling in.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Still gay?

 

[BeaverCleaver]

Still gay?

Yes, that was hilarious the first ten times the exact same thing was said in this thread. Not so much now.

Then why are you laughing?

 

[jon_mx]

Still funny

 

[BeaverCleaver]

Still gay?

Yes, that was hilarious the first ten times the exact same thing was said in this thread. Not so much now.

Then why are you laughing?

Sadly, some can't grasp sarcasm.

Sadly...you need help at that.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Still gay?

Yes, that was hilarious the first ten times the exact same thing was said in this thread. Not so much now.

Then why are you laughing?

Sadly, some can't grasp sarcasm.

Sadly...you need help at that.

So.....yes?

 

[McGarnicle]

Michael Sam a non-factor in debut as Alouettes lose to Redblacks

OTTAWA — It was an historic night in the Canadian Football League — the debut of rookie rush-end Michael Sam, the first openly-gay player drafted by an NFL team and the first, of course, to play north of the border.

Sam, who saw limited time, predictably proved to be a non factor, having not played since performing in exhibition games for the St. Louis Rams a year ago.

And now that his much-anticipated opening game is out of the way, we can return to our regularly-scheduled programming.

...

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/football/cfl/montreal-alouettes/michael-sam-a-non-factor-in-debut-as-alouettes-lose-to-redblacks

The Snap: So what was all the fuss about with Sam?

...Sam played sparingly, lining up on the boundary side of the line. Twelve snaps in his debut. He got on the field for the first time during the Redblacks’ second offensive series. He failed to register a tackle and was badly fooled on a play-action pass in the third quarter, Henry Burris faking the handoff, instead throwing 11 yards to fullback Patrick Lavoie for a touchdown.

...

For a rookie who remains relatively new to this team – on top of someone who walked out on his teammates for two weeks at training camp, requesting permission to leave for personal reasons – Sam waxed poetically about the problems that seem to be plaguing this 2-4 team.

“This team’s going through some adversity. We need to come together and bounce back,” he said. “Only great teams bounce back through adversity. We have to find out what we’re missing.”

Some of the Als’ problems specifically concern Sam. When he was allowed to return, and once the regular-season began, Sam immediately went on the team’s 46-man roster. So, while he hasn’t dressed for games, Sam has collected his game cheque on a weekly basis – still having failed to prove anything.

He should have been placed on the practice roster instead, but the organization has completely mishandled the scenario and Sam has become a distraction. He doesn’t play on special teams and isn’t considered competent. Privately, more and more players are criticizing the preferential treatment he has received.

What happens now, moving forward? Head coach Tom Higgins already indicated after the game Sam would be in the lineup again next Thursday, when the Als entertain Edmonton. While Darrin Kitchens, who plays the same position, suffered an undisclosed injury that Higgins said isn’t considered serious, rush-end Aaron Lavarias also is due to come off the six-game injured list.

Lavarias deserves to play – as does Kitchens, if he’s healthy. He has done nothing to warrant being benched.

“It’s nice that (Sam) got his feet wet. It’s nice that he got the first game behind him,” Higgins said.

Nonetheless, we can’t help but believing this is a problem that will continue festering unless Sam displays vast improvement. Quickly.

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/football/cfl/montreal-alouettes/the-snap-so-what-was-all-the-fuss-about-with-sam- The TD to Lavoie was the one I mentioned above, I did not even notice Sam was rushing on the play. I actually saw that TD, Burris had a ton of space and wasn't pressured at all as he found Lavoie wide open in the flat, he dodged one Ottawa DB before strolling in.

If he gets cut and ends up playing in Italy, that doesn't mean he can't make a comeback and eventually make a CFL roster again.

 

[flapgreen]

Still gay?

Very

 

[squistion]

If he gets cut and ends up playing in Italy, that doesn't mean he can't make a comeback and eventually make a CFL roster again.

As an aside, a really fun book you can pick up a paperback copy on EBAY for about $5-$7 with shipping is John Grisham's, Playing for Pizza:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playing_for_Pizza

Playing for Pizza is a short novel by John Grisham, released on September 25, 2007. The novel is about an itinerant American football player who can no longer get work in the National Football League and whose agent, as a last resort, signs a deal for him to play for the Parma Panthers, in Parma, Italy.

 

[McGarnicle]

Still gay?

Very

I'm not so sure. He had a chance to run up to a man in tight pants carrying a ball, wrap his arms around him and land on top of him, but did it zero times.

 

[BeaverCleaver]

Still gay?

Very

I'm not so sure. He had a chance to run up to a man in tight pants carrying a ball, wrap his arms around him and land on top of him, but did it zero times.

standing ovation!!!

 

[jon_mx]

Still gay?

Very

I'm not so sure. He had a chance to run up to a man in tight pants carrying a ball, wrap his arms around him and land on top of him, but did it zero times.

Hmmmm. Maybe his problem is not gay enough.

 

[chauncey]

If he gets cut and ends up playing in Italy, that doesn't mean he can't make a comeback and eventually make a CFL roster again.

As an aside, a really fun book you can pick up a paperback copy on EBAY for about $5-$7 with shipping is John Grisham's, Playing for Pizza:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playing_for_Pizza

Playing for Pizza is a short novel by John Grisham, released on September 25, 2007. The novel is about an itinerant American football player who can no longer get work in the National Football League and whose agent, as a last resort, signs a deal for him to play for the Parma Panthers, in Parma, Italy.

Read this years ago and really enjoyed it. It is not a legal thriller like most of Grisham's work but still a very entertaining story about a QB cut from the Browns who goes to Italy and leads a team of scrubs to victory. The American QB was the only one who got paid in cash (not much), everyone else literally was paid in pizza and beer.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

And Michael Sam has left the Als.

 

[jon_mx]

And Michael Sam has left the Als.

There goes the dream of making Tim's top 10 greatest Americans. Top 20 still possible.

 

[Sinn Fein]

And Michael Sam has left the Als.

There goes the dream of making Tim's top 10 greatest Americans. Top 20 still possible.

Already a top-10 Honorary Canadian though

 

[TLEF316]

"LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"- Michael Sam

 

[belljr]

Heeyyyyyyyy

 

[Andrew74]

"LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"- Michael Sam

 

[jon_mx]

Probably need to change the thread title to "Walmart cashier Michael Sam is gay"

Is he the first openly gay one?

 

[flapgreen]

Will Obama call to cheer him up?

 

[Koya]

He doesn't quite have the intestinal fortitude of Jackie Robinson, that's for sure.

 

[RBM]

Will Obama call to cheer him up?

No doubt...right after lunch with Sharpton.

 

[timschochet]

Reminds me of that first girl that was admitted to the Citadel, but washed up in the first few weeks. All the plebes cheered. But in a few years another girl was admitted and did not wash out, and another...etc.

There will be an openly gay player starring in the NFL; it's only a matter of time.

 

[McGarnicle]

There will be an openly gay player starring in the NFL; it's only a matter of time.

I can't wait!!!