University of Missouri’s, Michael Sam has made history by becoming the first Division I college football player in history to come out as gay. Sam, 24, who was named the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-SEC selection during his senior year at Missouri, is projected to be chosen in the early rounds of the N.F.L. draft in May, ordinarily a path to a prosperous pro career. He said he decided to come out publicly now because he sensed that rumors were circulating.
According to a report in the New York Times Sam said, “I just want to make sure I could tell my story the way I want to tell it. I just want to own my truth.”
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.”
Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin issued the following statement regarding the news:
“Michael Sam has made history with his courageous decision to come out at the beginning of his professional career, but even more importantly, he’s provided essential hope to millions of LGBT young people from the South, across the country and around the world. Trailblazers like Michael are tearing down barriers to equality almost daily, and I sincerely believe that the young person who will go on to become the first openly LGBT President of the United States watches today’s news somewhere in this country and is inspired.
“We must of course also recognize heroes like Billie Jean King, Renee Richards, Greg Louganis, and the many others who courageously paved the way for athletes like Michael Sam to come out.”
Sam joins a growing list of notable athletes who have come out recently, including Jason Collins, Robbie Rogers, Brittney Griner, Orlando Cruz, Megan Rapinoe, Lori Lindsey, and Tom Daley.
