Michael Sam Signed by St. Louis Rams

[William769]

The first openly gay man drafted by the NFL was offered a four-year, $2.65 million contract.

Less than a week before being signed, Michael Sam told a group of reporters after practice, “I’m doing pretty good.” It would appear he was correct.

Michael Sam, the first openly gay man to ever be drafted into the NFL, was officially signed by the St. Louis Rams. NFL.com announced Thursday that all 11 players drafted by St. Louis had been signed, including Sam, the second-to-last player picked by the Rams.

http://www.advocate.com/sports/2014/06/13/michael-sam-signed-st-louis-rams

[Wounded Bear]

1. That's great...

But it doesn't mean he'll make the team. There's a lot of practice before the season starts and many rookies don't make the grade.

Best of luck to the kid. Most of the scouting reports I read before the draft indicate he's a better player than his draft status would say. That said, the Rams are not that bad of a team and it's a difficult job to make the team. Their D-line is pretty good. (I'm a Seahawks fan, so I get a good look at the Lambs twice a year .

At least he gets the guaranteed money.

[KamaAina]

7. Special teams?

I could see him blocking punts.

[sheshe2]

2. Good for Michael Sam!

That's wonderful news William.

[William769]

3. It's been a long time coming.

[abelenkpe]

4. Always liked Green Bay but think St. Louis might get a special place in my heart now too. nt

[KamaAina]

5. Great. He is now the enemy.

[TDale313]

39. Nah. As a fellow Niners fan, I'm still happy for him.

We have bigger rivals than The Rams right now

[Fred Gilmore]

6. I Can Already Hear

The talking heads at fuxx noise exploding. Dildo Riley may have a stroke on the air.

[bluesbassman]

10. Geez I hope he does it off the air. Some things are better left unseen.

[awoke_in_2003]

8. Good luck, Mr. Sams. nt

[trublu992]

9. Is the money realistic for his drafting status seems low to me

Don't know much about football

[Travis_0004]

14. His contract was exactly in line with where it should be

He was drafted in the 7th round, which is why its a relatively low salary by NFL levels, but in line with what other 7th round draft picks age getting (literally in line with other signings to the dollar)

[7962]

32. Little over 600K a year; not unheard of

[artemis starwolf]

11. i dont watch football and have never had a team

But I do now.

[a kennedy]

12. I'm sorry but really, is this the first time this headline has made it DU?

The draft was in early May...... And was hashed out FOREVER..... So... What's your contribution now.?????

[JI7]

13. don't know much about football but i think draft means more of a trial and doesn't mean

they will be signed for sure. but turns out he did get signed.


but why do you have an issue with the OP posting it anyways ? even if it was something that was already discussed ?

[Travis_0004]

16. He signed a contract today

That means he has agreed with his team on the salary of 2.2 million. With the signing, he can attend training camp and try out for the team. If he makes the team, he will get about 550k a year. They are still free to cut him, and he basically only gets to keep his signing bonus (which was 50k).

[JI7]

18. is there a point where they can't cut him ?

[Travis_0004]

19. No

In the NFL, I believe nobody is ever safe from being cut.

Peyton Manning could be cut tomorrow, if the Bronco's didn't want to pay his salary. Peyton would be free to keep his signing bonus, (and he likely has other guaranteed money) but they Broncos would not have to pay him. They wouldn't do that, but its theoretically possible.

[JI7]

23. i see, i know some can make big money in sports

but i have heard for most it's much more difficult and for almost all it's short term anyways .

[a kennedy]

43. I guess the issue is, it's been hashed, discussed, and rehashed already when he got drafted....

Soooooooooo happy for him, and I hope he has a long and pro bowl career. It's just was getting sick of all the talk about it. But I AM SO HAPPY FOR HIM.

[William769]

17. Yes this is the first time for that headline on DU

Before it was a draft pick, this is a signing that happened on Thursday. Sorry you have a problem with that (actually I'm not, you will just have to deal with it).

So I guess the real question is What's your contribution to this latest news besides being upset by it?

[a kennedy]

44. OK, I get it, he's signed a contract.....and I'm extremely happy for him.

My contribution is, MHO and it's just my opinion, and I was just saying that I was sick of all the talking heads on every show, be it a sports show or not, talking about his sexuality when he was drafted, it's all been talked about before, but now that he HAS signed a contract I am happy for him, and I can't wait until he is just another NFL football player. JMHO.

[Cha]

20. Oh dear.. This is good news and you're harshing on it..??????

[a kennedy]

45. Yes, I guess I am, and believe me, I am extremely happy he signed his contract.

Just sick of all the talking heads rehashing him being gay, and if he can play in the NFL. But I am soooooooooo happy for him.

[Iggo]

40. Yes.

But thanks for giving a shit.

[Cha]

15. It's Official! All the warnings and handwringers were wrong and Michael

Sam is right on the love and money!

Mahalo, William~

[William769]

21. Well I know at least one person still not happy about it.

[Cha]

24. Of course, doesn't there always have to be at least one

who shows up to pull a downer? Not gonna happen.

[William769]

25. We'll just drown him out with our exuberance!

[Cha]

28. Gotcha!

[William769]

30. Now that what I'm talking about.

[7962]

37. Do you folks actually follow football? This signing would be completely expected.

Yes, he is the first openly gay player to sign a contract, but the goal of every team is to sign all your draft picks as well as any free agents you want. They need to be under contract before practice starts. They are allowed 80 players when preseason starts. Then cuts are made to 65 and then 53. 45 are allowed to be on the sidelines; the other 8 are on the practice squad.
The time to celebrate is after the final cut down to 53 players.

Coming as a top player from the SEC, the toughest conference in college football, he should have a good chance to make it through. He may need to change positions though.

[greatauntoftriplets]

29. There's one in every crowd.

[LoisB]

22. I hope he has a very long, rewarding career.

[William769]

26. Agreed.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

34. +1000. nt

[hrmjustin]

27. Terrific news!

[sheshe2]

31. Celebration~

[godai]

33. $46,000 guaranteed.

Typical NFL non-guaranteed $...

Sam, the first openly gay player drafted in the NFL, was signed to a four-year, $2.65 million contract, with $46,000 of it guaranteed, FOX Sports' Mike Garafolo reports.

http://msn.foxsports.com/midwest/story/rams-sign-entire-2014-draft-class-061214

[Pisces]

35. That is great news!!

[ChisolmTrailDem]

36. That is really fricking cool! I'm not a Rams fan but I wish them all well this

coming football season.

[totodeinhere]

38. I wish him every success in his NFL career and beyond. He is a real trailblazer.

God luck.

[irisblue]

41. Gonna need a jersey...what is his number?

and as a femme lesbian, I haven't cared about football....ever. I want to support my brother and the team who hired him.

[Cha]

42. K!