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| Michael Sam Draft |
Michael Sam Draft - The NFL at last has drafted its first openly gay player, and he'll be headed to St. Louis.
The Rams selected defensive end Michael Sam with pick No. 249 Saturday night, ending months of speculation to when – or if – Sam would hear his name called in the draft.
Sam became the first openly gay athlete drafted into one of America's major professional sports leagues. Sam was drafted of the seventh and final round of the draft, and only seven players were drafted later.
Sam, who allowed ESPN cameras to document his historic moment, began sobbing after receiving the phone call from the Rams. Sam was a first-team USA TODAY All-America selection at Missouri last fall after leading the SEC with 11.5 sacks. Sam's sexuality was big news three months ago, but his football acumen seemed to be more of an issue for NFL teams in the lead up to the draft. ESPN, who had a camera with Sam in San Diego, had reporter Shelley Smith broadcasting live from a watch party at a gay bar in West Hollywood, while the hashtag #SamFans united Sam's supporters online.
"It's good that Michael Sam was drafted. With the Rams' decision to draft Sam, the NFL might be able to dodge serious questions that Sam's sexuality affected his draft status had all 32 teams passed on Sam.
Sam spent draft weekend in San Diego, watching the draft unfold in private, inviting only one television camera from ESPN to record his reaction. The video of Sam and his boyfriend, their hugs and kisses, and their playful exchange as Sam smeared a cupcake on his partner's face, went viral by Saturday evening, and might wind up being the iconic images from this entire draft.
Davis is working with the NFL to help executives, coaches and players better understand LGBT issues in pro sports -- not just to help the league prepare for Sam's arrival, but to make the NFL a more welcoming environment for future gay players.
Davis met with league officials, including commissioner Roger Goodell, in New York City and gave a presentation to league owners, general managers and head coaches in Orlando in March.
Now Davis is working with NFL vice president Troy Davis to put together a series of presentations with teams and players as part of the league's Respect at Work program.
