Teammate defends Michael Sam after ESPN's 'shower' report

[joeybee12]

Before Michael Sam, the NFL's first openly gay player, ever set foot on an NFL football field, doubters had claimed that he would be a distraction to his team and shunned by his teammates. However, in the first media flare-up regarding Sam's orientation, he has received the definitive support of one of the strongest voices in his locker room.

The precipitating incident was an ESPN report on how Sam, no sure thing to make the Rams' roster, was adjusting to life with his new teammates. And after some initial cliches, the report took a sharp turn, focusing for almost a full minute on Sam's showering habits:

The report drew immediate criticism on social media, both for its selectiveness (how many other rookies' shower habits are a story?) and its gaze too deep into the locker room.

But there's a larger issue here. For years, people who claim to know NFL culture have said that the locker room wouldn't accept a gay man. But within hours after the report aired, Rams teammate Chris Long shattered that myth with one eight-word tweet:

Dear ESPN,

Everyone but you is over it.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/teammate-defends-michael-sam-after-espn-s--shower--report-200421626.html

[TDale313]

1. I love that tweet. n/t

[BrotherIvan]

2. +1

Perfect

[Scuba]

3. Perfect!

[SCVDem]

4. ESPN seems to have a problem!

What are you doing spying and telling what happens in the shower?

I see a merger! ESPN/TMZ!

I may watch football on ESPN but I guarantee that any other commentary, pre or post game shows are optional!

Grow the hell up!

[tooeyeten]

5. ESPN has many problems

Racism, homophobic, sexism, you name it they got it.

[riqster]

24. If I do watch a game there, I turn the sound off.

Annoying, sensationalist fucks.

[bigwillq]

6. Just retweeted.

[malthaussen]

7. Outstanding.

These clowns need to come into the 21st century.

-- Mal

[Overseas]

8. K&R. Well said.

[rurallib]

9. ESPN trying to be sports for the Fox News crowd?

[Skittles]

10. Thanking Mr. Chris Long

words like that have a lot of impact

[NealK]

11. K&R

[Fearless]

12. Hey ESPN your bigot is showing!

[rocktivity]

13. Sounds more like the report "took

a sharp RIGHT turn..."


rocktivity

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. Howie raised his children right.

[Johnyawl]

16. He did indeed!

[dionysus]

17. that's howie longs son? never knew that...

[ScreamingMeemie]

18. Yup. Chris plays for the Rams. Kyle Long plays for the Bears.

That got into a tiff on the field last year during a game against each other, which was kind of fun. But, it was really Chris trying to pull Kyle from a fight.

[dionysus]

19. i still can't forgive Howie for that terrible movie he starred in; he was a smokejumper who got

caught in the middle of some mafia activity all the while a forest fire was raging around them. good parent... terrible actor.

[KamaAina]

15. Ah yes, the Worldwide Lemur.

[Eleanors38]

20. Economy. Clarity. Credibility. Speed. nt

[WillyT]

21. HUGE K & R !!!

[underpants]

22. Every NFL player has one objective - WIN

WIN get me to the playoffs
WIN GET ME THE TROPHY

Everything else is nothing.

Sign your first contract and play for your second. $$$$$

[Luminous Animal]

23. ! Love it!

[msanthrope]

25. Soooooo stealing that tweet.....nt