St Louis Rams coach: Michael Sam is not a ‘distraction’

St Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher has dismissed claims that Michael Sam’s sexuality is a “distraction” for the team.

Football player Michael Sam made history in May when he was drafted by the St Louis Rams, a few months after publicly coming out.

Earlier this week, former Colts coach Tony Dungy said he wouldn’t have signed Sam, because he “wouldn’t want to deal with all of it”.

Replying to the comments on ESPN, Fisher said: “Absolutely not.

“Let’s define distraction. There were a couple extra cameras during the early OTAs, there may have been an extra camera yesterday as the rookies reported and went on the field for the first time, but no, it’s not.

“Mike’s a very passionate athlete, he’s very focussed.

“We had one discussion with the Oprah Winfrey Network, and we all agreed to postpone the piece, and that’s just about it.

“We’re not going to treat him any differently to anybody else on this team.

“I’m not concerned, Tony’s entitled to his opinion as everyone is, but we’ve got a good thing going.”

Earlier today, the President of the American Family Association complained it was “unfair” that Michael Sam got to see naked “beefcakes” in the shower.

• Dec 01 2023

16 TV stars you grew up watching who later came out as LGBTQ+