On Tuesday ESPN reported a story saying that DE Michael Sam was not showering with teammates. The piece drew very harsh criticism and ESPN since apologized for it.
Members of the St. Louis Rams organization continue to express their outrage with ESPN over their reporting of a story that rookie DE Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in NFL history, was choosing not to shower with teammates.
Fellow DE Chris Long was one of the first to openly criticize the piece:
Dear ESPN, Everyone but you is over it.
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) August 26, 2014
ESPN apologized for the report, filed by Josina Anderson, in a statement released on Wednesday morning, but many in the Rams organization remain unsatisfied – particularly head coach Jeff Fisher.
“I’m extremely disappointed in her piece,” Fisher said in the St. Louis Post Dispatch. “I think it’s unethical. I think it’s very, very unprofessional. Not only the piece itself, the content. The manner in which she did it.”
Fisher’s last remarks were in regard to Anderson’s method of talking to players away from the team facility.
“She was out of line because she went and contacted several players on their personal time,” Fisher said. “Misled them with questions and then put this piece together…
“I’m disappointed for Mike. I’m disappointed for the players who she put in this position, and mostly I’m disappointed for her because she felt what she was doing was right — and it wasn’t right.”
Michael Sam was drafted in the 7th round of the NFL draft out of Missouri. He is considered a long shot to make the Rams final 53-man roster.
COMMENTS