Michael Sam looks impressive in 'Dancing With the Stars' debut (VIDEO)

Michael Sam's first routine on Dancing With the Stars was a far cry from smashing blocking dummies at the combines, but probably just as tough.

During Monday's premiere, Sam and his partner Peta Murgatroyd danced the Cha Cha to Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk,” and his footwork was pretty impressive.

Michael Sam nailed his DWTS debut: http://t.co/JAgFpsHH92 https://t.co/TDiZqIqg4S
— SB Nation (@SBNation) March 17, 2015

This season's DWTS lineup doesn't have the star power of the past and, while he waits for another chance at playing for a Lombardi Trophy, Sam already looks like a front-runner for a golden Mirror Ball this spring.

Just before NFL training camps open.

Sean Avery calls Martin Brodeur 'Fatso' in response to 'Dancing with the Stars' comment

On Wednesday, Martin Brodeur was asked about former nemesis and NHL hell-raiser Sean Avery appearing on "Dancing with the Stars," and the Devils goalie said he didn't watch the show but replied, "What more can he do to embarrass himself."

Avery — who was voted off the show after one week — fired back via Twitter.

Then the Twitter-happy Avery got personal.

Embarrassing is when u sleep with the #Nanny and get caught :)
— Sean Avery (@imseanavery) March 27, 2014

The reference to sleeping with the "nanny" isn't specifically clear, but Brodeur did eventually marry his sister-in-law after a well-publicized affair that ended his first marriage, if that's what he's referring to.

Former NHL player and referee Paul Stewart sided with Brodeur and sent this out after the Avery tweets:

Embarrassment is when you get booted from NHL b/c no one can put up with your crap anymore and own ex-teammates have no respect for you.
— Paul Stewart (@PaulStewart22) March 27, 2014

Avery has been known to be pretty opinionated on Twitter in the past, so it should come as no surprise when he tweeted a photo of a donut and coffee and another strange message — presumably to Devils fans.

In honor of every miserable #Asshole from NJ that takes this that seriously :) pic.twitter.com/WLhqMYaeP9
— Sean Avery (@imseanavery) March 27, 2014

Brodeur, by the way, posted nj.com’s original story with his comments on his Facebook page on Wednesday with a smiley face.

[nj.com]

Sean Avery joining ‘Dancing with the Stars’: Report

Sean Avery is joining the cast of “Dancing with the Stars,” according to Page Six of The New York Post.

The former NHL goon and fashionista has been spotted working out in preparation for the show at the New York studio of Gwyneth Paltrow’s trainer Tracy Anderson, sources told the gossip site.

The move will be Avery’s latest career change after working at high-fashion ad agency Lipman, which ran out of cash and closed last year.

Sources said the well-travelled NHL player recently posted a video of himself online showing off some Anderson-inspired dance moves to Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse,” but the video was taken down.

“DWTS” recently replaced host Brooke Burke-Charvet with sports reporter Erin Andrews.

Other contestants rumored to be joining the spring season include B-listers NeNe Leakes and Candace Cameron.

Season 18 kicks off on March 17.

Erin Andrews named as new 'Dancing with the Stars' co-host: Report

Erin Andrews is in as the new co-host of Dancing With the Stars.

A little more than a day after the B-list celebrity dance competition dumped longtime co-host Brooke Burke-Charvet, it was reported on Sunday that the Fox Sports reporter will take over the job.

The 35-year-old Andrews was a contestant with dance partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy on DWTS back in 2010.

The cast for Season 18 will be revealed on March 4 on Good Morning America, with the season premiere on March 17. And the producers can use all the help they can get.

Over the past few seasons, the celebrity dancing competition has experienced a decrease in viewership. Last November, "Dancing With the Stars" had its lowest season finale ever.

Maybe she can get Richard Sherman to appear.

Meanest 'DWTS' fan ever steals Donald Driver's shoe from kid

A lady— who has to be the meanest "Dancing with the Stars" fan ever— forcibly ripped Donald Driver's spiked shoe out of the hands of a young boy he had just tossed it to after the Green Bay Packer's annual charity softball game at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, Wisconsin.

The fanatical Wisconsin woman— who was later identified as Jen Ereth— even had a homemade Mirrorball Trophy (stalker alert) in her hands when she rudely snatched the shoe from the young boy wearing a #85 Greg Jennings jersey.  Ereth even crawled over a teenage girl to get her trophy.

Driver— still basking in the glow of being this season's top dancer on DWTS— was hosting the Donald Driver Charity Softball Game in front of 8,745 fans before Ereth bull-rushed the two kids.

The Packers wide receiver had already thrown a couple of wrist bands into the crowd after the game before targeting the boy with his shoe.

Afterwards, even after head-shaking glares from the disgusted crowd around her, Ereth wasn't exactly apologetic and posted a photo of her and two friends with the purloined leather:

"Donald is missing a shoe!!!  thx Donald!!!"

Wonder what the bully would have done if it was one of Driver's tap shoes.

Donald Driver says winning Mirrorball is same as hoisting Vince Lombardi Trophy

Well, the big dance drama is over and Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver was the surprise winner of "Dancing with the Stars" last night.   He became the third NFL player to take home the coveted Mirrorball trophy in 14 light-footed seasons.

Driver and his dancing partner, Peta Murgatroyd, edged out classical singer Katherine Jenkins in one of the show's closest finishes ever.

After the three-time Pro-Bowler scored perfect 10's— while dancing a final cha-cha to win the competition— Driver dropped to the floor and rolled around before hoisting his partner.

"This is awesome," he told host Tom Bergeron as his wife and children looked on.  "I feel the same way when I won the Vince Lombardi trophy."

Driver tore off his bright pink top and handed it to judge Carrie Ann Inaba while dancing his robust cha-cha with Murgatroyd.

"My feeling is you are the best [football player] we have had on the show," judge Len Goodman said.

The Packers player was an underdog behind Jenkins throughout most of the season.  Latin heartthrob William Levy was the favorite among women voters up until the end but Driver persevered.

Many credited Driver's upset win to block voting by Packer fans.  A lot of people were wearing the trademark Cheesehead hats in the studio audience.

I'm sure they were grilling brats in the parking lot.

Donald Driver's teammates on 'Dancing with the Stars' sideline

A couple of Donald Driver's Green Bay Packers teammates showed up last night to show support for their wide receiver as he fends off elimination in the Season 14 semifinals of "Dancing with the Stars."

Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews and head coach Mike McCarthy were on the fifty-yard line of the dance floor sidelines while Driver spun a Viennese Waltz and shook a samba with his partner Peta Murgatroyd.  Driver and Murgatroyd are currently in third place out of four pairs with an elimination round tonight.

Driver and his partner scored a 28 in the waltz and an almost perfect 29 in the samba.  Judge Len Goodman said Driver's dancing was "absolutely charming" and called the Packer a "big buff tough cream puff."

I'm pretty sure Goodman has never been hit by a 210-pound cornerback on a cross-route, but Driver's opposing NFL defensive backs have to love that description.

The Packers' quarterback, linebacker and coach gave all the support they could from the front row of the dance floor and seems like they were having fun doing it.

But tonight,  it looks like it's fourth-and-goal for Driver and Murgatroyd (love that name) as they go for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

Packers Donald Driver joins "Dancing with the Stars"

Donald Driver might be known for his end zone dances after scoring a touchdown for the Green Bay Packers, but now it's his chance to show if he can pull the same moves on the dance floor.

Driver— the Packers all-time leading receiver— was one of 12 "celebrities" picked to appear on season 14 of "Dancing with the Stars."

Driver was matched up with New Zealand beauty Peta Murgatroyd to compete against the likes of 67-year-old Gladys Knight (minus the Pips), Little House's Melissa Gilbert, Urkel (Jaleel White) and a bunch of C-list stars.

Host Robin Roberts introduced the smiling Driver to the Los Angeles crowd by saying, "You...Super Bowl champion you."

Driver's pairing with the Murgatroyd (her second season on DWTS)  makes them a front-runner.  NFL stars have done pretty good on the show in the past and Martina Navratilova is the only other athlete competing this season.

A lot of people were hoping Victor Cruz might appear on the ABC show, but the New York Giants salsa dancing receiver made it clear— even with the urging of his mom—that he wouldn't appear on the show for at least for a couple of seasons.

No word on if Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will let Driver use his "Discount Double Check" moves.

Victor Cruz Turns Down Offer From "Dancing With The Stars"

Victor Cruz, the New York Giants salsa dancing wide receiver, told reporters after Friday's practice that he received an offer through his agent to be a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars" and turned it down.

It was only a matter of time before the hit television show— which turned NFL players Jerry Rice and Hines Ward into Fred Astaires— contacted the nimble-footed Cruz and invited him to strut his stuff.

People have been suggesting it for weeks.

The subject came up by accident at his locker.  When asked if he was offered anything "weird or crazy" by anyone that caused him to do a "double-take" since his new found celebrity, Cruz laughed.

"Funny you should ask," he said.  "I just got an official offer from "Dancing with the Stars" this past week.  I knew it was coming.  That was the only one that turned my head."

Cruz was a little ambiguous about appearing and said the show is "probably a no, definitely a no" in his future and he only wants to focus on football.

Asked if he thinks he would be any good, the wideout shook his head and not his hips.

"I got a little bit of rhythm," he said.  "But I don't know how good I'd be at a tango."

Cruz said he told his mom about the offer and she "laughed about it and said, 'You had to know it was coming.'"

DWTS fans shouldn't give up hope. When pressed, Cruz said he'd give the show a look.

"Maybe in a couple of years down the line," he said.

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