“He (Michael Sam) said his focus is football and being drafted, not being an activist. I just wanna do what I love to do and that’s play football.”
Daily Mail: Michael Sam just got into the NFL, and now he’s landed how own TV deal. The first-openly gay homosexual football player to be selected in the draft will be the focus of a new multi-part documentary series to air on Oprah’s OWN network, produced by the same crew that filmed Lindsay Lohan’s reality show.
“We are honored that Michael is trusting us with his private journey in this moment that has not only made history but will shape it forever,” Oprah Winfrey said in a statement.
“I am proud of the focus on authentic storytelling in our new documentary series format. The next real-life story we follow in ‘The Untitled Michael Sam Project’ promises to spark valuable, important discussion on life in America today. Acceptance and illumination start here,” Winfrey added.
The announcement was somewhat surprising since Sam said at a press conference that he just wants to focus on training.
When asked what it felt like to be the first openly-gay draftee, Sam said simple: “I guess it’s great. I’m determined to be great so I’m going to train hard and try and make the team,” he added.
Shooting has already begun on the as-yet untitled project, but it’s uncertain how much access the NFL and Rams will grant them now that Sam is training. The series will follow Sam as he trains to make the St. Louis Rams 53-man roster for next season – which will not be without challenge.
Most likely, he’ll have to focus on learning a new position if he wants to make the team for the season.
But in a Tuesday press conference, Sam said all the attention he’s received will only help his training. “Thank God for you guys making this all a big deal, because it’s just going to make me a better players than I am now,” Sam said.
I understand people do reality shows. Just seems this one, which began filming before the draft, is a way to put some sort of “history” on our tvs.
Personally I’ve had enough of this “historical” moment shoved through the media.
DCG
