Mizzou’s Michael Sam Comes Out As Gay, Makes History In The Process

On Sunday University of Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam made history as the first openly gay player in (what could soon be) professional football. The Associated Press’ SEC Defensive Player of the Year revealed his sexual orientation during an interview with ESPN’s Outside the Lines.

Said Sam, “I am an openly proud gay man.” Speaking on the gravity of his announcement, “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.”

Sam’s decision to come out publicly was reportedly in part due to his experience at the Senior Bowl, where a surprising number of players and coached “already seemed aware.” Given the circumstances, he felt it was important to get ahead of the story and do things on his own terms.

On his experience at the Senior Bowl, Sam said, “I didn’t realize how many people actually knew, and I was afraid that someone would tell or leak something about me. I want to own my truth. … No one else should tell my story but me.”

The announcement has already made headlines from coast-to-coast, but did not come as a surprise to his Mizzou teammates, who Sam came out to during preseason training camp last year. He credits their support and acceptance for giving him the strength to do what he did today.

Having led the SEC in sacks and tackles for a loss last season, Sam has been projected as a mid-round pick—ESPN notes he could go as early as the third round. His hope is that his future NFL teammates will be as welcoming and expressed concern over offensive stereotypes of gays being in locker rooms.

When asked about his preference for a particular landing spot, Sam just said, “I just want to go to the team who drafts me, because that team know about me, knows that I’m gay, and also knows that I work hard. That’s the team I want to go to.”

Next up for Sam is the NFL Scouting Combine which begins in Indianapolis on February 22nd. Then, if all goes according to plan, Same will officially become the first openly gay player in league history on or before Saturday, May 10th, the final day of the NFL Draft.