NFL Rumors: Michael Sam’s Alleged Nude Photo Goes Viral; Paula Deen Compares Herself to Missouri Draft Prospect

NFL prospect Michael Sam is suddenly in the hot seat following reports of a nude photo of his "manhood" circulating around the Internet.

Sam, the Missouri Tigers defensive end who recently publicly came out as homosexual, caught everyone's attention once again because of an alleged photo that apparently shows a naked man with his genitals exposed.

PopWrapped published the photo on their website Thursday, and it's already making the rounds on various social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook.

However, Black Sports Online believes the photo doesn't give clear and convincing evidence that the nude man is indeed Sam because the iPad used to take the picture obscures the man's face. 

Paula Deen's Comparison

Elsewhere in Michael Sam news, Paula Deen—the chef who was in the spotlight last year after admitting to using racial slurs—has been comparing herself to Sam. 

"I feel like 'embattled' or 'disgraced' will always follow my name. It's like that black football player who recently came out," Deen told People magazine in reference to the NFL prospect. "He [Sam] said, 'I just want to be known as a football player. I don't want to be known as a gay football player.' I know exactly what he's saying."

Deen's awkward ploy to redeem herself largely fell on deaf ears. It seems it will dake more than a hamfisted comparison to an openly gay African-American athlete to make the public forget she has admitted to throwing around the "n-word" in the past. Her show on the Food Network has been shelved ever since her brow-raising comments.

Deen told People she thinks the criticism against her has been unfair. Nevertheless, she has remained strong and keeps an optimistic mindset despite the fallout of her racially insensitive comments, she said. 

"I used to have dreams that I lost everything," Deen said. "And when it finally happens, you think, 'I'm still alive.'"

"Michael [her husband Michael Groover] told me, 'You've learned how badly words can hurt and how powerful they are.' I have been hurt by them, and I unintentionally hurt others. But I don't want that to define who I am."