Mon. May 12, 2014
Robin Roberts, Martina Navratilova and Jason Collins were among the celebrities cheering Michael Sam as he became the first openly gay football player drafted by the NFL.
Sam, a 24-year-old All-American defensive end, was picked Saturday by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh and final round of this year's draft.
(Related: Michael Sam becomes first openly gay player drafted by NFL.)
Robbie Rogers, professional soccer's first openly gay player, congratulated Sam in a tweet which included mentions to Megan Rapinoe and Jason Collins: "Congrats @MikeSamFootball & @STLouisRams! Also good luck @mPinoe & @JasonCollins34 tonight! #myheros."
"I'm getting ready for my game against the @MiamiHEAT," out NBA player Jason Collins message, "but I wanted to say congrats to @MikeSamFootball & @STLouisRams.Great pick. Good luck."
"Go Rams for drafting Michael Sam- a wise pic :)," out tennis legend Martina Navratilova tweeted.
Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts noted the historic significance of the pick: "Congrats to all who were drafted, realizing a dream, a special moment.Including historic moment for @MikeSamFootball."
Ben Cohen, whose group StandUp Foundation fights homophobia in sports, added: "Congrats to @michaelsamfootball for becoming first out LGBT player in NFL. We stand up with you!"
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