Pride Spotlight: MICHAEL SAM

MICHAEL SAM:

Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team. Sam, a consensus All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in his final season at Mizzou, was drafted by the St. Louis Rams (now known as the LA Rams) in 2014.

After being drafted by the Rams, Sam's incredibly beautiful reaction to his draft was broadcast live on television, during which he kissed his boyfriend - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiBQBdV387o.

Sam entering the draft process as an openly gay man was a litmus test for acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. Sam went on to win the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, he was named one of GQ's Men of the Year, and was a finalist for Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year.