ESPN apologizes for reporting on Michael Sam's showering habits
Wed. August 27, 2014 10:46 AM by OnTopMag.com
St. Louis, MO -
Cable sports network ESPN on Wednesday apologized for airing a report on the showering habits of Michael Sam, the NFL's first openly gay player.
During a SportsCenter segment, Josina Anderson reported from the St. Louis Rams training camp, where she had spoken to multiple players about how Sam was fitting in with the team.
"Defensive tackle Kendall Langford said, Michael Sam is simply just one of the guys and he seems to be taking a rookie approach in terms of just listening and learning at his own pace," Anderson said. "But 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 waiting to kind of take a shower, as not to make his teammates feel uncomfortable. While Langford and linebacker Alec Ogletree told me that they didn't know that specifically and also weren't tracking that."
The report was widely criticized on social media.
"Dear ESPN: Everyone but you is over it," Rams defensive end Chris Long tweeted.
ESPN apologized for the segment in a statement, The Washington Post reported.
"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," the network said.
During a SportsCenter segment, Josina Anderson reported from the St. Louis Rams training camp, where she had spoken to multiple players about how Sam was fitting in with the team.
"Defensive tackle Kendall Langford said, Michael Sam is simply just one of the guys and he seems to be taking a rookie approach in terms of just listening and learning at his own pace," Anderson said. "But 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 waiting to kind of take a shower, as not to make his teammates feel uncomfortable. While Langford and linebacker Alec Ogletree told me that they didn't know that specifically and also weren't tracking that."
The report was widely criticized on social media.
"Dear ESPN: Everyone but you is over it," Rams defensive end Chris Long tweeted.
ESPN apologized for the segment in a statement, The Washington Post reported.
"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," the network said.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine