ESPN apologized Wednesday for its "shower scene" that took play a day earlier.
Multiple media outlets reported that ESPN issued a statement about a report from Josina Anderson about an anonymous St. Louis Rams player saying that openly gay Michael Sam was worried about teammates' reactions if he jumped into the showers the same time as them.
ESPN gives report on Michael Sam's alleged "shower dilemma"
She reported that Sam was starting to let the veteran Rams players take their showers first and get their belongings afterward without incident.
"ESPN regrets the manner in which we presented our report," the network said in a statement. "Clearly yesterday we collectively failed to meet the standards we have set in reporting on LGBT-related topics in sports."
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CBSSports.com speculated, however, that ESPN's Josina Anderson could've had a major impact on the Rams as they get ready for the 2015 without a quarterback:
"Love the 'standards we have set' line there. It's like the back-handed compliment version of an apology; a very slick (public relations) move.
"You know, the reality is the line from one of Sam's teammates might potentially be "news" (even though it's not surprising for at least one person to have that opinion). But trying to dig up info on Michael Sam's showering habits and turn it into a segment is just in poor taste."
Instead, ESPN gambled that the tension involving Sam would drive ratings reports on being edgy and lost.
The seventh-round draft pick in the 2014 NFL Draft had been one of the two highest-profile athletes at the event; it could be argued that Johnny Manziel may be the only player among the rookies during training camp that had more media scrutiny.
According to Yahoo! Sports, Sam's supporters have said that his sexuality is irrelevant to his performance and have dismissed suggestions that an openly gay player would be a distraction for an NFL team.
Where do you draw the line on coverage of Michael Sam's attempts to earn a job in the NFL in 2014? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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