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title: Michael Sam Becomes First Openly Gay Player Drafted By NFL | TIME
description: It took seven rounds and 248 picks, but the NFL made history Saturday, drafting the first openly gay player in the league’s history, Michael Sam.
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# Michael Sam Becomes First Openly Gay Player Drafted By NFL

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/pIOGLqvP.m3u8" -->
## Video: Michael Sam Becomes First Openly Gay Player Drafted By NFL

[Watch (HLS stream): Michael Sam Becomes First Openly Gay Player Drafted By NFL](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/pIOGLqvP.m3u8) (2:21)

![Michael Sam Becomes First Openly Gay Player Drafted By NFL](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/pIOGLqvP/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2014-05-11. It took seven rounds and 248 picks, but the NFL made history Saturday, drafting the first openly gay player in the league’s history, Michael Sam._


---

Jul 27, 2023 4:37 PM UTC

---

## More From This Series

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### First Openly Gay Player Takes the Court

[NFL Hopeful Michael Sam Comes Out Ahead Of Draft](/video/eGZqGaPN/)

### NFL Hopeful Michael Sam Comes Out Ahead Of Draft

---


## Transcript

It took seven rounds and 248 picks, but the NFL made history Saturday, drafting the first openly gay player in the league's history. The St. Louis Rams select, Michael Sand, [ NOISE ] defensive end, Missouri Yes sir. [ INAUDIBLE ]. Yes Sir. Michael Sam, former defensive end for the Missouri Tigers, announced he was gay, at the end of a record breaking season at Missou. I'm coming out because I want to own my truth. At an undersized, 6'2 ",. 250 pounds, Michael Sam had a stellar senior season. Recording 48 tackles and leading the SEC. See with 11- 1 / 2 sets. But, many were underwhelmed by Sam's performance during the NFL combine and pro day.

Original projections had Sam, the SEC codefensive player of the year, as high as a third round pick, but, his performance in the combine, relatively small size and his coming out, were all potential factors that could have lead to his slide in the draft. Every team that passed me, I was thinking of how I'm going to sac their quarterback. SEC defensive player of the year, unanimous all American, I should have, gone in the top, three rounds easily. And, Sam makes a good point. He's one of only two players to be named SEC defensive player of the year, and not be selected in the first two rounds of the draft.

Sam still has a long road ahead of him before he ever gets on an NFL field. As a seventh round pick, his spot on the Rams roster, is not guaranteed. ESPN writes, Sam joins a crowded group at defensive end. With that type of talent around him, it won't be easy for Sam to make the roster. But, if he doesn't make the roster it won't be from lack of support. Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player to make an active roster said in an interview, I'm very happy for Michael and I'm glad that his dream is finally coming true. Rams Hall of Famer, Eric Dickerson tweeted, congrats to Mike Sam on becoming a St.

Louis Ram, welcome to the Rams family. And Rams pro bowler and current defense end Robert Quinn tweeted to his potential teammate, welcome to the squad Michael Sam D line showtime. Sam will have to sign a contract with St. Louis to officially be the first openly gay NFL player. Sam also needs to make it through a series of roster cuts to see playing time on a NFL field this season. The St. Louis Rams start the regular season with or without Sam, September 7th. Thanks for watching. I'm Jamal Anders.

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