Michael Sam Finally Made It Into The First Pro Game

[Stan Diego]

http://www.ottawasun.com/2015/08/08/sams-100k-salary-raises-eyebrows

Michael Sam's $100k salary raises eyebrows

It's a $100,000 question, one that apparently has some of Michael Sam's teammates steaming mad.

It would have been wonderful if the Sam chatter had ended after he finally made his CFL debut Friday night in Ottawa.

It would have been great for the Montreal Alouettes if Sam, a 6-foot-2, 260-lb. defensive lineman, had done something in the 12 plays he was on the field against the RedBlacks. Sam did zilch. Zero. Nada. Despite that, the TV cameras zoomed in. It was historic, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Sam walked out on the team during training camp (for "personal reasons," he said), returning two weeks later. But what is bothering his teammates is that he's been drawing a full salary -- $100,000 -- even when he hasn't been in the lineup. So while he wasn't playing, the Alouettes should have placed him on the practice squad, but instead kept him on the 46-man active roster, ensuring a full payday.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Jordan is a billionaire because he owns a sports franchise you fucking moop.

He wouldn't have a franchise much less anything it if it wasn't for Nike, you fucking dimwit. In fact, its still his bread and butter.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

I personally think Sam is good and will get picked up the NFL within a couple of years. Just needs to add size but has a great work ethic. It's going to take time. But people want to watch football and not the side shows...meaning the other reason why I don't think anyone kept him was the focus was on "the agenda" and not football. Seriously, you've got cameras and news crews following around a rookie because he's gay? I couldn't give a shit whether he was gay or not as long as he can play football. But as usual the media made into something other than football.....on the fucking football field.

Agreed, but its good for business.  More people are tuning in to ESPN who normally wouldn't watch CFL football just to see the first openly gay football player.  That equates into advertising revenue.


At the end of the day, its a business.  Michael Sam is playing football and making money.  He got 3 sacks in the preseason and wasn't good enough to even be in the practice team???  There are far worse players playing in the NFL and at the very least, he isn't beating up women and getting locked up. 

[Coffeed]

Many of the elite Canadian CFL'ers rigorously enhance their mental toughness in the offseason by working 10 hour days with no weekends selling used cars. You simply don't have that level of commitment and work ethic stateside.

[Mr.1derful]

Michael Sam is nothing more than a side show, who will wash out and thankfully soon be forgotten.  It's not about having talent or football, it's about exploiting his lifestyle, which is not what football fans tune in for.

[Walter Sobchak]

He wouldn't have a franchise much less anything it if it wasn't for Nike, you fucking dimwit. In fact, its still his bread and butter.

Michael Jordan would have nothing without Nike?

So you're saying his basketball salary and other endorsements would be $0.00 without Nike? You're saying another shoe or athletic company wouldnt have signed him?

With Nike he would be worth $200-$300 million. As owner of an NBA franchise he is a billionaire.

Jesus fuck you're stupid. A fat, lazy, dumb, broke homo that isn't worth $100 talking about how billionaires amass their fortunes.

[240 is Back]

But as usual the media made into something other than football.....on the fucking football field.

lol, blaming the MEDIA?
Sam announced what the scouts already knew.   Sam brought along a reality show to the NFL.   
Sam wanted to be a media star, and yes, the media gave him what he asked for.  You don't secretly sign a deal for a reality TV show because you just want to play football.  He wanted to be a media star, which is smart/good for him longterm$... but IMO it's not right to blame the media.  SAM WANTED THE MEDIA SPOTLIGHT. 

There have been quite a few openly gay NFL players.   It's readily admitted, it's well known.  But they didn't ask for a reality show:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/27/troy-vincent-gay-teammates-nfl-locker-room_n_5043125.html
They just show up and play ball, they love who they love, and it's a non-issue.  The media didn't punish, bother, hound them over it, they knew and left it alone.   Sam did everything he could to stay in spotlight.

I think sam will return to the NFL once he focuses on football and stops trying to be a star in media.  ya gotta get the pro game down first.

[BayGBM]

...SAM WANTED THE MEDIA SPOTLIGHT... 

Was just talking about this at a party last week...  Sam and his beau, Vito Cammisano, killed his NFL career with their kiss.  And the worst part is there was no reason for it.  For most guys who get drafted, the good news is a relatively private moment.  If there are cameras there at all, pics are being taken by family and friends and the public never sees those photo.  These two wanted the world to see the moment and their kiss.  They were politically tone deaf and they paid a price for it.  Coming out was fine, but he should have left it at that... the football public was not ready for the in-your-face PDA.  Obviously it was an emotional moment, but they had lots of time to think about how they wanted to handle it.  They made a choice.  Newsflash: choices have consequences.

Part of being a successful activist, pioneer, or trailblazer means deftly gauging your environment.  They blew it big time.  It was career suicide by media but it was all self inflicted.   

[HTexan]

Was just talking about this at a party last week...  Sam and his beau, Vito Cammisano, killed his NFL career with their kiss.  And the worst part is there was no reason for it.  For most guys who get drafted, the good news is a relatively private moment.  If there are cameras there at all, pics are being taken by family and friends and the public never sees those photo.  These two wanted the world to see the moment and their kiss.  They were politically tone deaf and they paid a price for it.  Coming out was fine, but he should have left it at that... the football public was not ready for the in-your-face PDA.  Obviously it was an emotional moment, but they had lots of time to think about how they wanted to handle it.  They made a choice.  Newsflash: choices have consequences.

Part of being a successful activist, pioneer, or trailblazer means deftly gauging your environment.  They blew it big time.  It was career suicide by media but it was all self inflicted.   

No his career suicide is that he sucks.
 If the stupid gay barriers in pro sports is going to come down, it is going to take a great player to do so. Sam isn't even ok.  He set gay athletes back 10 years.
I bet that little queen he was with force him to come out too. Little twink left his ass not even 2 years later.

[Dave D]

I still don't think Sam got a proper chance in the NFL. He seems like the type of guy who shows up on gameday, rather than a practice all-pro.

I just can't fathom how people say that a former SEC (widely accepted as the best conference) defensive player of the year, was/is not good enough, when they never gave him a shot in a regular season game.

I think he should have been able to make a roster as a backup DE or LB, and been given some playing time. Can't properly evaluate talent if they never get a chance in game situations.

Him being gay has more to it than people will publicly admit.

He couldn't find time in the Dallas d-line rotation..... it was a very mediocre group last year. 

Obviously guy has talent, but so do 100s of guys that don't get invited to the combine and training  camps, as do all the guys who don't make the final roster. Sometimes you've got to stick it out and develop the skills needed.

Jason White won a Heisman, but never made a pro team. Chris Leak was a four year starter with a national championship and was not a pro. Tebow won both and a NFL playoff game and was out of the league in a year.

If Ray Rice had Adrian Peterson's talent and skills he'd be starting in the NFL, but he doesn't so he's not worth the headache.

If your talent equals production you get a spot.

[Dave D]

No his career suicide is that he sucks.
 If the stupid gay barriers in pro sports is going to come down, it is going to take a great player to do so. Sam isn't even ok.  He set gay athletes back 10 years.
I bet that little queen he was with force him to come out too. Little twink left his ass not even 2 years later.

This.

He isn't Jackie Robinson, an elite talent with an incredible focus, thick skin and determination.
He's a fringe player who left his CFL training camp for "personal reasons" where initially  the gm wasn't 100% sure he was coming back.

Media Star with public access ability.

[Walter Sobchak]

This.

He isn't Jackie Robinson, an elite talent with an incredible focus, thick skin and determination.
He's a fringe player who left his CFL training camp for "personal reasons" where initially  the gm wasn't 100% sure he was coming back.

Media Star with public access ability.

He made his choice. He wanted to be Kim Kardashian instead of JJ Watt.

He was accurate in assessing his NFL future.

[Carlton G. Long]

There's nothing impossible when you have steroids.  CFL drug testing is almost null and there's plenty of sources.  He can play for 2 years, spike up during that time and come right back to the states.  With his CFL salary, he can certainly afford it.  At least he's doing shit rather than waiting around like other folks

He'll have the AIDS by then.  Hope this helps.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Was just talking about this at a party last week...  Sam and his beau, Vito Cammisano, killed his NFL career with their kiss.  And the worst part is there was no reason for it.  For most guys who get drafted, the good news is a relatively private moment.  If there are cameras there at all, pics are being taken by family and friends and the public never sees those photo.  These two wanted the world to see the moment and their kiss.  They were politically tone deaf and they paid a price for it.  Coming out was fine, but he should have left it at that... the football public was not ready for the in-your-face PDA.  Obviously it was an emotional moment, but they had lots of time to think about how they wanted to handle it.  They made a choice.  Newsflash: choices have consequences.

Part of being a successful activist, pioneer, or trailblazer means deftly gauging your environment.  They blew it big time.  It was career suicide by media but it was all self inflicted.   

He was already picked next to last in the draft before that kiss ever happened so I don't think it made any difference at that point.  I think it send it great statement with the first kiss  however that second cake kiss shit was embarrassing to say the least and was akin to curb stomping the opposition

In any event, he's still in a better position than others at his level. 

[Dave D]

He made his choice. He wanted to be Kim Kardashian instead of JJ Watt.

He was accurate in assessing his NFL future.

Good point. Dude definitely  doesn't get enough credit for having media savvy.

I'm sure the shows/opportunities  he bailed on are willing to embrace him whenever he's ready.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

This.

He isn't Jackie Robinson, an elite talent with an incredible focus, thick skin and determination.
He's a fringe player who left his CFL training camp for "personal reasons" where initially  the gm wasn't 100% sure he was coming back.

Media Star with public access ability.

You know, back in 2003 on Getbig there was a similar debate on the Season 2 Tough Enough runner-ups.  Everyone said that Kenny was too small and I stated that he just needed a few years of steroids.  All the people in the show including the winners are long gone......and Kenny...


Well

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_King_%28wrestler%29



Nothing is impossible with steroids.  Michael Sam needs to get more than a dick in his ass....spike up and jab that son bitch in those cheeeks and keep doing it until he looks like Romanaski. 

[240 is Back]

Sam is too small for defensive end and neither fast nor agile (ability to control speed, steer/brake) enough at the moment, to succeed in the NFL.

Steroids won't make him taller and they aren't going to help too much with agility.  He will get faster, he will explode more off the line, he will get stronger.  But he'll be short, thick, heavy and trying to play outside linebacker?

I think if he's smart - he realizes he has a small % chance of ever getting back into the league, and a big % chance off making a good living being a spokesman.  Keep playing Canadian ball, endorse everything you can, give speeches, and inspire people.  But IMO, he should avoid putting all his eggs into the "take all the gear I can in order to be an NFL backup".  He's a tweener, physically - too short, too slow, too weak, not agile enough.  He can fix 2 of these, but you need 3 to make it in NFL.

[Dave D]

You know, back in 2003 on Getbig there was a similar debate on the Season 2 Tough Enough runner-ups.  Everyone said that Kenny was too small and I stated that he just needed a few years of steroids.  All the people in the show including the winners are long gone......and Kenny...


Well

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_King_%28wrestler%29



Nothing is impossible with steroids.  Michael Sam needs to get more than a dick in his ass....spike up and jab that son bitch in those cheeeks and keep doing it until he looks like Romanaski. 

Vince............

What does a dude who never even made the cut in the Fed have to do with Micheal Sam, who WAS an NFL player. If Sam focuses on football and develops he may turn into a player, everyone thought Cameron Wake was to small and slow, he proved otherwise.

Aaron Maybin was a talent similar to Wake and he was a first round bust. There are many factors, hopefully Sam becomes the best he can be, but don't compare him to an indy talent who won't ever get a shot in the WWE.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Vince............

What does a dude who never even made the cut in the Fed have to do with Micheal Sam, who WAS an NFL player. If Sam focuses on football and develops he may turn into a player, everyone thought Cameron Wake was to small and slow, he proved otherwise.

Aaron Maybin was a talent similar to Wake and he was a first round bust. There are many factors, hopefully Sam becomes the best he can be, but don't compare him to an indy talent who won't ever get a shot in the WWE.

He's actually turned down all the WWE offers because he gets paid more as a Chippendales dancer in Vegas.  Being an indy wrestler allows him the flexability.  Truth being told, he would have only only about 30k a year as a WWE wrestler.  The majority don't make as much as most people think

[TuHolmes]

He's actually turned down all the WWE offers because he gets paid more as a Chippendales dancer in Vegas.  Being an indy wrestler allows him the flexability.  Truth being told, he would have only only about 30k a year as a WWE wrestler.  The majority don't make as much as most people think

The bottom end is 50K, average around 80K, biggest stars make big money.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

The bottom end is 50K, average around 80K, biggest stars make big money.

Yep, and a Chippendales dancer makes about 120k a year without having to risk injury along with obvious tips.  BOOM!!!!


This is him up top.  He was skinny on tough enough but with a light regimen......good size and maintainable look without damage to kidneys and liver

[blinky]

Sam has a back injury and out this week

[Simple Simon]

Yep, and a Chippendales dancer makes about 120k a year without having to risk injury along with obvious tips.  BOOM!!!!


This is him up top.  He was skinny on tough enough but with a light regimen......good size and maintainable look without damage to kidneys and liver

ESFitness second from right doing well for himself.

[Coffeed]

Keep us apprised with the blow by blow.

[Rambone]

Sam has a back injury and out this week

Must've tweaked it during those 15 plays. The guy sucks literally and figuratively.