Michael Sam is focused on playing football and trying to make the St. Louis Rams’ roster – not being the first openly gay player drafted by a National Football League team, he said at a press conference Tuesday.
“I understand that right now you guys want to make a big deal of it,” he said of the constant publicity. “When this is over, then I can start (working on football) as fast as possible.”
On Saturday, many watched as news stations televised Sam receiving the draft phone call and crying over his partner’s shoulder.
The Rams drafted Sam as a defensive end in the 7th round, making him the 249th pick. As a defensive lineman at the University of Missouri, he was named defensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference, widely considered the top league in college football. His teammates also voted him Missouri’s most valuable player. The 24-year-old is listed at 6’2” and 260 pounds.
Rams General Manager Les Snead said he received more text messages after a 7th round pick than he had ever gotten.
“Some of them from our players, a lot of them from people I know,” he said. “There’s not one ounce, there’s not any even close to a negative. It’s about as positive an ‘inbox’ full of texts as you can have.”
At a pre-season football practice last year, Sam announced to his Mizzou teammates that he is gay. Since then, Sam said the country has been making a “big deal” out of his sexual orientation, but his team and school did not.
Though Sam is eager to dismiss the attention, it is indeed a historic moment for the NFL and professional sports. Jeff Fisher, Rams head coach, said he was honored to be part of that.
“This is the second historic moment in the history of this franchise,” said Fisher, in a press conference shortly after the draft. “The Rams in 1946, I don’t know if you’re aware of it, but we were the first NFL team to sign an African-American player – a year before Jackie Robinson signed the baseball contract.”
Snead said everyone in the draft room knew the magnitude of their decision and its impact on history. He pointed out that Kenny Washington was the first African American to get into the NFL, though he is not widely remembered.
“There’s going to be a timeline here: Michael is the first,” Snead said. “Somewhere in the future, guess what? He’s just going to be a name and a dot that a kid in middle school has got to memorize. We won’t think it’s anything special because it will be normal. That journey started yesterday.”
Sam was asked what he would do if he starts receiving discriminatory taunts. Like many other players who received the draft call, the overjoyed Sam kissed and embraced his significant other. Several athletes reacted on Twitter.
Miami Dolphins safety Don Jones tweeted “horrible,” then was fined and suspended by the team.
“I’m determined to make this team, and I have every confidence in myself that I will make this team,” Sam said. “So, when I do make it, and when I put my pads on, and if someone wants to say something, you’ll see number 96 running down that field and making big plays for this team.”
A Hitchcock, Texas native, Sam graduated from Mizzou in December, making him the only member of his family (out of eight siblings) to attend college. Three of his siblings have died and two brothers are in prison.
“Adversity hits everyone,” Sam said. “I wanted to do some great things, so I played sports. I got better at football. I got better with my grades. I went to college. I was the first person in my family to graduate, and now I’m the first person in my family to go to the NFL. So, I just keep on fighting. Keep fighting the good fight.”
Nationwide, people have been showing their support and admiration for Sam. His jersey, No. 96, is the second-highest selling jersey among the 2014 rookie class, after new Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel.
At the conference, Sam was asked if he had heard about the father who recently posted on the internet that Sam gave his son the courage to come out.
“I’m honored that I helped someone to be comfortable with who they are, that I gave them a little courage to speak to his father,” he said.
“I’m very honored to have that happen to his son, but right now I’m just looking forward to continuing on my dream. If it inspires other people, hey, I’m with you. If anyone’s not okay with that, like I said earlier, if someone disowns you, hey, be a part of my family. I’ll welcome you. Ram up!”
