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University of Missouri player Michael Sam is by all accounts a good football player. As an All-American defensive end he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year this season. Sam is also gay.
The 23-year old came out publicly on Sunday (February 9). He made the announcement in interviews with ESPN and the New York Times.
"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."
Sam revealed his sexual orientation to his Missouri teammates last August. He recorded 1.5 sacks and the team went on to have a 12-2 season and won the SEC championship team.
"I looked in [the team's] eyes, and they just started shaking their heads -- like, finally, he came out."
Some NFL teams might be hesitant to draft Sam, according to an anonymous source who talked to Sports Illustrated.
"I don't think football is ready for [an openly gay player] just yet. In the coming decade or two, it's going to be acceptable, but at this point in time it's still a man's-man game. To call somebody a [gay slur] is still so commonplace. It'd chemically imbalance an NFL locker room and meeting room."
Sam knows there will be doubts, he just wants the opportunity.
"There will be negativity, negative reactions I just want to go to the team who drafts me, because that team knows about me, knows that I'm gay, and also knows that I work hard. That's the team I want to go to."
Sam is projected as a 3rd-5th round NFL draft pick.
Michael Sam Interview: 'I'm Gay' | Mizzou Football Star Comes Out | The New York Times
Missouri All-American Michael Sam Says He Is Gay
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