St. Louis Rams Draft Michael Sam, Who Becomes First Openly Gay NFL Player

The St. Louis Rams drafted Michael Sam in the 7th Round of the NFL Draft on Saturday, making Sam the first openly gay NFL player to be drafted. 

ESPN had a camera on Sam throughout the day, and Sam, like many draftees before him, cried when he was drafted. Sam kissed his partner and the crowd at Radio City Music Hall cheered when his name was announced. There was also an outpouring of emotion from his friends and supporters who were watching the Draft with him.

Sam, the SEC’s defensive player of the year, will stay in the state in which he went to college (Missouri) and will also have a college teammate (E.J. Gaines) in his draft class. He will also have a good chance of making the team under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who, despite his alleged involvement in “bounty” scandals, has always been able to utilize pass rushers like Sam well in his schemes. 

Sam was chosen with the 34th pick in the 7th Round and 249th pick overall.