St. Louis Rams Allegedly Drafted Michael Sam to Avoid Controversy

Back in 2014, the St. Louis Rams were lauded for drafting Michael Sam, making him the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL. Two years later, allegations are popping up, claiming Sam wasn't picked because of his athletic ability but because the sports team did not want to appear on the HBO docuseries "Hard Knocks."

TNews.com.au reports that NFL reporter Howard Balzer says the team cut a deal with the NFL to draft Sam in the seventh round to avoid an appearance in the show.

"It's been almost two years since the St. Louis Rams selected defensive end Michael Sam in the seventh round of the 2014 draft. At the time, the Rams were hailed for being progressive and drafting the first openly gay player in the National Football League," Balzer wrote. "It turns out, according to multiple sources, that the league agreed not to ask the Rams to appear that year on HBO's yearly summer series, 'Hard Knocks,' if they drafted Sam."

News.com.au writes that the team allegedly didn't want to be involved with the series because the cameras would have been distraction to players and coaches.

The Rams' coach Jeff Fisher denied the report, however.

"That in itself is absolutely absurd, it's 100 per cent incorrect," Fisher said on ESPN's "Mike & Mike" Thursday. "I was really taken aback by those comments. It's insulting, from my standpoint, as it relates to Michael. We had three seventh-round picks. When we drafted Michael, he was the best player on the board. Who in their right mind would think that you give up a draft choice to avoid doing something like that?"

He added: "It's really unfair to Michael. Michael worked so hard. It's really not fair to Michael because of all the hard work he put in."

Sam took to Twitter and commented on the report.

Sam was cut from the team before the regular season and went on to sign with the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. He was released in October 2014. He then joined the Canadian League, signing to the Montreal Alouettes. However, he left after a short stint and is now a free agent.

The NFL has yet to comment on the allegations.