St. Louis Rams

ESPN has issued an apology for a report which covered the locker room showering habits of Michael Sam.

The network came under fire yesterday after Josina Anderson went on the air and reported on her discussions with multiple Rams players about how Sam is conducting himself in the locker room.

In her report, Anderson said ... "Another Rams defensive player told me that ‘Sam is respecting our space’ and that, from his perspective, he seems to think that Michael Sam is kind of waiting to take a shower, as not to make his teammates feel uncomfortable."

Now, after several people -- including Rams star Chris Long -- went after the network, ESPN has issued an apology ... saying:

"ESPN regrets the manner in which we presented our report. Clearly yesterday we collectively failed to meet the standards we have set in reporting on LGBT-related topics in sports."

So far, Sam has yet to comment on the situation.

Michael Sam is getting the Lindsay Lohan treatment ... as in, the openly gay football player is getting his own reality show on Oprah's TV network ... reps at OWN confirm.

The show -- produced by the same people who did Lindsay's show -- will chronicle Sam's journey into the NFL ... and we're told Sam has already been taping the show for weeks.

In fact, we're told Oprah's crew was in the room when Sam learned he had been drafted by the St. Louis Rams ... and clearly knew his big celebratory kiss with his BF would make for great reality television.

Oprah issued a statement saying, "We are honored that Michael is trusting us with his private journey in this moment that has not only made history but will shape it forever."

A 13-year-old boy got one heck of a birthday surprise after emerging from brain surgery last week ... when his phone rang and 3 HUGE STARS were on the line to wish him a speedy recovery.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Kevin Durant, actor Kevin Hart and NFL star Tavon Austin called up 13-year-old Mikka on Thursday after learning about the brave boy's battle with a brain condition.

We spoke to Mikka's dad who tells us, "Before they called, his energy level was low ... but those guys really picked him up. They actually brought a smile to his face."

He adds, "Mikka didn't believe it. When Kevin Durant called I said, 'It's really K.D.'"

"All three guys told him to be strong and they wished him a happy birthday."

Tavon tells TMZ Sports ... "I was happy to call Mikka when I found out he was having major surgery. He's my family (cousins). I watched Mikka as an infant. He's a tough kid."

Mikka's dad says ... Mikka was released from a Maryland hospital on Sunday -- and says, "He can't wait to go to school and tell all of his friends!"

Deacon Jones ... one of the greatest football players in the history of the game -- is dead.

Jones -- a member of the L.A. Rams Fearsome Foursome from 1961 to 1971 -- died at his home in So. Cal. at age 74.

Deacon revolutionized the way defensive ends played the game -- not only creating his famous "head slap" technique, but he's also responsible for the term "sack" because of the way he destroyed quarterbacks.

Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

Deacon also dabbled in TV and movies. He had guest-starring roles on "The Brady Bunch" and "Bewitched." He was also in the movie, "Heaven Can Wait."

Jones died of natural causes.

Al Sharpton is playing some serious defense for the St. Louis Rams -- The Rev has launched an all-out blitz to keep Rush Limbaugh from buying the NFL franchise.

In the wake of several reports that Limbaugh is serious about becoming an NFL owner, Sharpton fired off a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, begging the football honcho to reject Rush from the league.

In the letter, Sharpton tells Goodell, "Rush Limbaugh has been divisive and anti-NFL on several occasions with comments about NFL Players including Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb."

In 2003, Limbaugh famously argued that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was getting special treatment in the press because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

But in his letter, Sharpton brought up another Rush-centric controversy, adding that Rush's "recent statement that the NFL was beginning to look like a fight between the Crips and the Bloods without the weapons, was disturbing."