Who is Michael Sam?
MICHAEL Sam made history after he became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL. He joins Las Vegas Raiders player Carl Nassib who announced his sexuality on social media in June 2021. Michael Sam is a former American football player who played as a defensive end. He started his college career at Missouri having attended the school from 2009 to 2013. During that time, the 31-year-old played for the Missouri Tigers and competed in the Big 12 conference. During his college career, Sam accumulated 123 tackles, including 36 for loss, 21 sacks, six forced fumbles and two intercepted passes. His performances earnt him a number of accolades which included his award as the All-American and the South-eastern Conference (SEC) Defensive Player of the Year. Despite the fact that many still considered him too small to play as a defensive end at the top level, he was drafted in by the St Louis Rams as the 249th of 256 players selected in the 2014 NFL draft. Sam came out ahead of the 2014 NFL draft after his first senior season at Missouri. In doing so he became the first publically gay player to be drafted into the NFL. Before the draft, he had indicated that he wanted to make his sexuality public and therefore decided to reveal the news in interviews he did with the New York Times and ESPN. Sam told NFL.com at the time: "I am an openly, proud gay man. "I understand how big this is. It's a big deal. No one has done this before. And it's kind of a nervous process. But I know what I want to be, I want to be a football player in the NFL." In a statement at the time President Barack Obama said that he "congratulates Michael Sam, the Rams and the NFL for taking an important step forward today in our Nation's journey". He added: From the playing field to the corporate boardroom, LGBT Americans prove every day that you should be judged by what you do and not who you are." During the period from April 1 through July 17, Sam's jersey ranked sixth in sales among all NFL players. Sadly, Sam never played during the regular season after failing to make an impression during training. Following a spell in the Dallas Cowboys Practice squad and at CFL side Montreal Alouttes, he eventually retired from the sport the following year due to mental health reasons. He currently shares his experiences as an author and motivational speaker. However, in 2021, fellow NFL player Carl Nassib, became the first active NFL player to come out as gay after he announced his sexuality via a video on social media. Nassib, 28, said in a video posted to his Instagram account: "I just want to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay. "Sadly, I have agonized over this moment for the last 15 years. How it all started for the Raiders star CASHING IN All you need to know about Carl Nassib's NFL contract with the Raiders HISTORY MAKER Raiders star becomes first openly gay NFL player as he comes out in Insta vid Pictured ARM-LESS FUN Eugenie Bouchard dips in sea despite having arm in sling on hol with boyfriend SMACKDOWN READY This is ex-NFL player Pat McAfee's new role in WWE  Following the news, Sam took to social media to congratulate Nassib on owning his truth and his contribution to the LGBT charities. He said: Carl Nassib, thank you for owning your truth and especially for your donation to the Trevor Project. I hope people will take note of this. Thank You again Carl and I look forward to seeing you play on the field.