Michael Sam has become the first openly player drafted when the St. Louis Rams took him in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Sam announced his sexual orientation leading up to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. In 2013 he was selected as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts at the University of Missouri.
“Thank you to the St. Louis Rams and the whole city of St. Louis. I’m using every [ounce] of this to achieve greatness!!” Sam wrote on Twitter shortly after the draft.
Thank you to the St. Louis Rams and the whole city of St. Louis. I’m using every once of this to achieve greatness!! pic.twitter.com/QESdOJVzsw
— Michael Sam (@MikeSamFootball) May 10, 2014
Sam could be seen kissing his boyfriend on screen once his name had been drafted.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher said that the Rams were focused on what Sam could bring to their team.
“I don’t have any concern whatsoever,” Fisher said. “We drafted a good football player, and I’m excited to get him on the practice field and get him going. It’s going to be a little extra attention for a couple days.”
