In a SportsCenter segment on Tuesday, ESPN reporter Josina Anderson was asked if Michael Sam would make the St. Louis Rams roster cut based on his performance on the field and how he was fitting in with the team. Unexpected by anyone, she responded by reporting on Sam’s showering habits in the locker room with teammates.
In her reporting she said, “Another Rams defensive player told me that ‘Sam is respecting our space’ and that, from his perspective, he seems to think that Michael Sam is kind of waiting to take a shower, as not to make his teammates feel uncomfortable.”
She went on by saying that other players, including fellow defensive lineman Kendall Langford, said that they hadn’t been tracking Sam’s showering habits.
Rams Defensive Lineman Chris Long had possibly the best response:
Dear ESPN, Everyone but you is over it.
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) August 26, 2014
After initially defending their reporting on the subject, today representatives for ESPN issued this statement:
“ESPN regrets the manner in which we presented our report. Clearly yesterday we collectively failed to meet the standards we have set in reporting on LGBT-related topics in sports.”
Translation: Someone lost their job today.
It’s always a black women.. They the only ones that still give a Shyt! #realTalk
Strange statement.
Explain.
I think he means “give a shit” about some black man being gay or not. Black women feel like black men don’t want them, so who better to show disdain toward than a black gay man…
Hmm.
I feel like such a statement is dangerous.
It is the same line of reasoning that leads to:
“Those blacks are so lazy…”
“Ugh, why do gay guys have to be so over-the-top…”
Now obviously i don’t know your life experiences but I wonder if all the black women – and the black women alone – have a problem with your sexuality. There are many black women that don’t have this attitude. Moreover, this attitude is not exclusive to black women.
We need to be the change we want to see.
Between ESPN and BET I really wonder who is working in HR and hiring these fools making these stupid decisions..
Its all a joke…a way to fuel the ever thirsty 24 hour news cycle. Needless to say its shameful on ESPN’s part and their half ass apology is just that.
Sad thing is if this was meant to bump up the views for their site/network, it isn’t a big stir. I guess that goes to show how many people in America have learned to ignore this type of ignorance.
It was meant to do two things: humiliate gay men and humiliate Sam by putting him off his game after he did so well against the Browns.
Disgusting.
I’m glad that it backfired. This crap is ridiculous, why do they feel the need to make this a big deal, smh… Hopefully they learn to stay away from this topic. They are making a big deal about this while none of the actual teammates themselves have an issue with it. Major fail on their part.
that some crazy shit, she a journalist and she spending her time asking everyone when is Sam taking a shower, are you in the shower with him or not… I so glad this backfired. that some bullshit. and keep stereotypes and misunderstanding going.
This is really sad. As a gay black man I am offended and I don’t want to watch ESPN anymore.
A TV channel (owned by Disney ) that airs contentious sports entertainment 24 hrs a day, with at least 16 sister channels spent 1 min 44 seconds on an athletes shower habits? whats next, timing Lebron to see how fast he can get dressed and tie his new shoes? Sometimes people need to think about what there doing and stop being yes men to others. Just because someone gives you a story does not mean it should be aired.
No I think it’s gonna be about how many times Jason Collins shakes it after he uses the urinal.
“Sam Spanks 3 Teammates Booties After Successfully Scoring”
“Sam Involved in Foursome Tackle”
“Sam Sacks 7 Different Men In One Night”
What in the hell made her think it was anywhere near acceptable or appropriate to bring that up? I mean, its not even like she was specifically prompted to talk about it. I’m more confused than anything else -_-
Erm, she was being malicious?
On the day they are having cuts, the reporter decided to talk about the showers… I love Chris Long response tweet
I’m still surprised that she actually went thru w this story…esp on air..smh
Dumb Beaver
Stupid is as Stupid does. That is a stupid response from ESPN. To term this pathetic story LGBT issues is further adding insult to the matter. So what’s next, how big is Michael Sam’s dick compared to everyone in the locker room? When hoes wants a job, they will go to any lengths to get that job. Similar to a journalist…if it means go down to the balls for a story, they will gladly suck it…and swallow as well. #ratchet #THOT
Offensive. Stirring a cold pot. I’ll be elated when this stops being news. And by the looks of how this went over with the public, that day could be a lot closer than it is far.
Let’s put this in perspective, Sam’s is the one people are worried about checking out other guys in the shower but yet it’s his so called teammates monitoring his shower habits and reporting it to the media….Mike isn’t the only gay guy on the Rams…..
That’s what I was thinking.
In all the years that there have been NFL players, everyone has forgotten about the men who came out years later. Did these any of their team mates go back in the memory bank to recall any time Esera Tuaolo was checking them out in the locker room or sporting full wood?
I mean seriously, if these are the guys who are keeping diaries of his showering habits and schedule, they are the ones to be worried about, not Michael.
I think this goes much deeper…a lot of black women just can’t handle when men especially black men aren’t attracted to them and thus act out making snide remarks and being a down right evil bitch…I’ve experienced this often.
Wait… I’m sorry when did she ever think it was ok to report this!