Michael Sam, NFL Hopeful and Openly Gay

10 Feb, 2014

Michael Sam, a star college football player who is potentially a top prospect in the National Football League’s upcoming draft, came out as gay in a video posted on the New York Times website on Sunday, and could become the NFL’s first openly gay player.

“I’m Michael Sam. I’m a football player and I’m gay,” Sam, a defensive lineman, said in the video. “I just want to own my truth before anyone breaks a story about me.”

The NFL also released a statement on Sunday in support of Sam.

“We admire Michael Sam’s honesty and courage. Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL,” the league said in a statement on its website. “We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014.”

Sam was a defensive lineman for the University of Missouri’s Mizzou Tigers until he graduated in December.

Sam, a 6-foot, 2-inch  260-pound pass rusher, was named Defensive Player of the Year in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) after leading the SEC with 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss, and was projected to be mid-round pick in the upcoming seven-round NFL draft.

The draft will be held May 8 to 10 at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Sam could not immediately be reached for comment.

In the Times video, Sam said that when he first spoke with his teammates about his sexuality last August, they rallied around him and supported him.

“Is this a huge deal? I understand that it is. But my purpose and focus right now is playing football,” he said. “I probably may be the first but I won’t be the last. And I think only good things is gonna come from this.”

Sam, should he be drafted as expected and make an NFL roster in the 2014 season, would become the first openly gay player to compete in any of North America’s four major professional sports leagues – football, baseball, basketball and hockey.

Reuters

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