Oprah Winfrey's OWN recently ordered a series about Michael Sam, the first openly gay football player to be drafted into the NFL but now production has been postponed on the documentary series. Sam was drafted by St. Louis Rams.
Variety reported that the network wanted to allow Sam to focus on his current football career which is why the documentary has been postponed.
The series was going to focus on Sam's journey while he was preparing to enter into the NFL. Cameras would follow him and fans could see him earning a starting spot on the Rams while dealing with scrutiny from the media and others because of his professional and personal life.
Erik Logan, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network prexy, released a statement regarding the postponement. “After careful consideration and discussion with the St. Louis Rams, ‘The Untitled Michael Sam Project’ has been postponed, allowing Michael the best opportunity to achieve his dream of making the team. OWN is about elevating and empowering people to achieve their best. It’s clear that we, along with the world, recognize the important opportunity that Michael now has in this moment. We will continue to support him in his journey to earn a spot playing for the Rams.”
The project has not yet been cancelled and that Craig Piligian and director Amy Rice, who were behind Lindsay Lohan's documentary which aired on OWN, will still be working on this project, The Hollywood Reporter added.