Michael Sam, an All-American defensive lineman from Missouri Tigers and the Associated Press' SEC Defensive Player of the Year, said that he is gay in interviews with ESPN's "Outside the Lines" and the New York Times on Feb. 9, according to ESPN.
Sam stated publicly what his teammates and coaches at Mizzou have known since August: "I am an openly, proud gay man."
Sam is eligible for the NFL draft in May. Assuming that he is drafted, Sam could become the first openly gay player in the history of the NFL.
According to GLAAD, the NFL issued this statement: "We admire Michael Sam's honesty and courage. Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014."
Raised in the small town of Hitchcock, Texas, Sam said he grew up uncertain about what his sexual orientation was.
In a statement, Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin said, "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."
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.
NFL draft prospect Michael Sam announces that he's gay
GLAAD Press Release
University of Missouri football player likely to be the first out NFL player
Sam was named the Southeastern Conference's Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press and was selected as a unanimous first-team All-American
New York, NY, February 9, 2014 — GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, today responded to Southeastern Conference (SEC) Division I football player Michael Sam's announcement that he is gay.
"By rewriting the script for countless young athletes, Michael has demonstrated the leadership that, along with his impressive skills on the field, makes him a natural fit for the NFL," said GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis. "With acceptance of LGBT people rising across our coasts — in our schools, churches, and workplaces — it's clear that America is ready for an openly gay football star."
Sam was a defensive end for Mizzou Tigers of the University of Missouri. He graduated in December and is currently a highly-touted prospect in the National Football League (NFL) draft. He becomes the first publicly gay athlete in any of the Big 4 sports drafts.
In interviews with The New York Times and ESPN tonight, the football player stated: "I am an openly, proud gay man."
In December 2013, The Associated Press named him the SEC's Defensive Player of the Year. He was also selected as one of ten unanimous first-team all-Americans. He led the SEC in both sacks and tackles-for-loss and resides in the top 10 nationally in Division I in those categories. He is originally from Hitchcock, Texas. Sports journalist Cyd Zeigler stated to GLAAD: "Every NFL draft expert has Sam being selected in the first to fifth round of this year's NFL draft."
Before his announcement, Michael Sam's publicist Howard Bragman introduced to him to athletes including openly gay former NFL players Dave Kopay and Wade Davis Jr., openly gay NBA player Jason Collins, openly gay former Major League Baseball player Billy Bean, as well as outspoken straight allies and former NFL players Brendan Ayanbadejo and Chris Kluwe. This is the fifth professional athlete that Bragman has taken out of the closet, along with more than a dozen celebrities.
Outsports.com has also published an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how his announcement came about.
Sam is the latest high-profile athlete to come out as LGBT with others including the NBA's Jason Collins, the WNBA's Brittney Griner, WWE's Darren Young, UFC's Liz Carmouche, MMA's Fallon Fox and Major League Soccer's Robbie Rogers.
"Michael is first and foremost a talented football player, and his humility and heart will reshape the way that Americans think about LGBT people and the sports world," said Wade Davis, Jr., a gay former NFL player and Executive Director of LGBT sports organization You Can Play. "His story sends a message to LGBT young people, especially young black men, that you are free to show up in the world as your authentic self and others will embrace you. When I came out after playing in the NFL, I felt the support from fans, teammates and the league and I know he will be embraced and continue to inspire."
In an NFL document released in April 2013, the NFL defined its equal employment opportunity policy as: "It is the policy of the National Football League to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law."
In the document, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also stated: "The NFL has a long history of valuing diversity and inclusion. Discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation is not consistent with our values and is unacceptable in the National Football League."
The NFL added sexual orientation to its list of protected classes in September 2011.
The NFL has also demonstrated its commitment to inclusion by participating in GLAAD's annual anti-bullying campaign, Spirit Day. For the past two consecutive years, the NFL has 'gone purple' online in a stand against bullying and to show its support for LGBT youth. In December 2013, You Can Play and the NFL announced the 'High Five Initiative' an "effort to create meaningful connections between LGBT youth and leaders within the professional sports community." Troy Vincent and Dwight Hollier, former NFL players and NFL player engagement executives, visited the Hetrick Martin Institute, the nation's largest and oldest LGBT youth services organization, yesterday to do just that. The league is also collaborating with You Can Play and You Belong for the second annual You Belong LGBTQ Sports and leadership initiative.
LGBT Sports Coalition supports NFL-bound Michael Sam, SEC Defensive Player of the Year comes out nefore NFL draft
LGBT Sports Coalition Press Release
CHICAGO, Ill. (February 10, 2014) — In the wake of former University of Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam's decision to come out as a gay man, the LGBT Sports Coalition offers its enthusiastic support for him as he heads into the NFL draft. The native of Hitchcock, Texas was already heading into the NFL draft with high expectations, but the Coalition's member institutions are ready to go beyond enthusiastic fandom.
After leading the SEC in sacks, Sam was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in December 2013. He was also one of ten first-team All-Americans selected unanimously.
After his accomplishments on the college gridiron, Sam might be selected anywhere between the first and fifth rounds when the NFL conducts its next amateur draft on May 8-10, 2014. While there is sure to be concern about what Sam's announcement means for his future, the NFL added sexual orientation to its list of protected classes in September 2011.
About the LGBT Sports Coalition
The coalition is an association of organizations and individuals committed to ending anti-LGBT bias in sports by 2016.
National Black Justice Coalition salutes NFL prospect, Michael Sam, for wwning his truth
Press release
NBJC Salutes NFL Prospect, Michael Sam, For Owning His Truth Washington, DC — February 10, 2014 — Michael Sam, University of Missouri's All-American defensive lineman and the 2013 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Defensive Player of the Year, has made history by owning his truth and proclaiming to the world that he is an "openly gay, proud man." Sam, at 6 foot 2 and 260 pounds, ended his senior season with 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss of yards. He is likely to be a major factor in May's National Football League (NFL) draft, where he is expected to go in the early rounds with a possible position switch to outside linebacker. If drafted, Michael Sam would be the first openly gay player in the NFL. "I'm not afraid to tell the world who I am. I'm Michael Sam: I'm a college graduate. I'm African-American, and I'm gay," he said in an interview Sunday. "I'm comfortable in my skin." Michael Sam, a native of Hitchcock, Texas, graduated from the University of Missouri in December, the only member of his family to attend college. He is the seventh of eight children of JoAnn and Michael Sam. It was a tough childhood; three of his siblings have died, and two brothers are in prison, Sam said in a New York TImes interview. He was raised mostly by his mother, and spent several years with another family. All of his family and extended loved-ones have been supportive of his coming out, according to Sam in the interview. "Michael Sam has made a historic and courageous decision to live his authentic truth for the world to see," said Sharon Lettman-Hicks, Executive Director and CEO of NBJC. "Sam continues the tradition of breaking down barriers for not only LGBT athletes who dream of playing professional sports, but all LGBT people, young and old, who seek to live openly, honestly and safely in their neighborhoods and communities. This day is truly remarkable, and we at NBJC salute Michael Sam for being brave enough to own his power."
The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. NBJC's mission is to end racism and homophobia.
