Michael Sam, collegiate football star & NFL prospect, comes out as gay

Missouri football star Michael Sam made history today as being the first Division I collegiate football player to come out as openly gay. In a brave move the potential NFL prospect revealed what his team already knew to the New York Times.

Sam says: “I am an openly, proud gay man.”

Sam, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound senior, who finished his career at Missouri with an impressive season ending it in winning the Cotton Bowl. He was named a First-Team All-American and the Defensive Player Of The Year in the Southeastern Conference.

The league has also come forward to show their support. In a statement Sunday night, the league said:

“We admire Michael Sam’s honesty and courage. Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the N.F.L. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014.”