NFL knew about Michael Sam documentary before draft

May 13, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams seventh round pick defensive end Michael Sam (middle) looks on as general manager Les Snead talks with the media during a press conference at Rams Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams seventh round pick defensive end Michael Sam (middle) looks on as general manager Les Snead talks with the media during a press conference at Rams Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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There has been plenty of discussion about the upcoming documentary series focusing on St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam which will air on the OWN Network owned by Oprah Winfrey. The Rams were unaware of the series prior to drafting him in the seventh-round of the draft, but that doesn’t mean everyone was in the dark.

In fact, the National Football League was well aware of the fact that Sam had a deal in place.

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the NFL knew about the documentary series that was going to document Sam’s journey to making the Rams as the first openly gay football player in NFL history. However, they did not disclose that information to any of the teams in the league.

The Rams may be internally frustrated that a deal was in place without their knowledge, but they have managed to keep on a good poker face as they say all of the right things in the media.