Michael Sam’s docuseries with the Oprah Winfrey Network has been postponed. Sam’s agent said that after meeting with the Rams -- who apparently had not been informed of the show beforehand -- all parties agreed that it was in Sam’s best interests to focus on making the team without the distraction surrounding the show.
The docuseries, which was to be presented in six to eight episodes, would have focused on Sam’s experiences during tryouts for the 2014 season. Sam was a seventh-round draft pick (249th overall) who had earned several distinctions in college, but had a mediocre combine performance and had been graded by many draft experts as a lower-tier defensive player.
OWN announced the show two days ago, but reports have circulated that the network and Sam’s agent, Cameron Weiss, had not informed the Rams or the NFL in advance about the docuseries.
The Hollywood Reporter reports:
“After careful consideration and discussion with the St. Louis Rams, the untitled Michael Sam project has been postponed, allowing Michael the best opportunity to achieve his dream of making the team,” said Erik Logan, president of OWN. “OWN is about elevating and empowering people to achieve their best. It’s clear that we, along with the world, recognize the important opportunity that Michael now has in this moment. We will continue to support him in his journey to earn a spot playing for the Rams.”
Sam's agent confirmed the indefinite postponement, citing both parties’ attempts to eliminate distractions for the first openly gay player in the NFL:
“After today’s meeting with the Rams, we collectively feel it is best to postpone the project. This will allow for Michael to have a total focus on football and will ensure no distractions to his teammates. Everybody involved remains committed to this project and understands its historical importance as well as its positive message.”
When the show was first announced, an anonymous Rams player told ESPN that Sam’s choice to do the reality show “does raise eyebrows” and expressed concern that it might prove to be a “distraction.” The same player admitted that he was unsure if his teammates had truly accepted Sam's sexuality or were just being politically correct.
It is unclear whether or not OWN will pursue a docuseries with Sam in the future.
