michael sam and partner on espn reacting to the news
photo credit // espn
Michael Sam became the first openly gay player drafted in the NFL after being selected in the 7th round Saturday by the St. Louis Rams.
When he received The Call, he was with friends and family, including his boyfriend, who he kissed on the lips and hugged. His boyfriend is reportedly 23-year-old Vito Cammisano. He and Sam both attended the University of Missouri, where Cammisano was on the swim team from 2009 to 2012.
Sam came out to his teammates before his final season of college ball, and then came out to the world on Feb. 9 in an interview with ESPN and The New York Times, saying "I am an openly, proud gay man."
"Today was a great day for the NFL and for the LGBT community," Bill Gubrud, executive director of Chicago-based National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame, told ChicagoPride.com. "To see an openly gay football player drafted on live tv with he and his lover embracing Is one more step to main stream acceptance in see sports."
Sam was projected to be a 3rd to 4th round pick originally.
"It was obvious teams were hesitant to draft him," said Gubrud. "It took the St. Louis Rams to draft him. The Rams play in Missouri where Sam played his college football."
Sam played football for University of Missouri. He was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year last December.
"I am very thrilled nonetheless to see Sam drafted," added Gubrud.
When he received The Call, he was with friends and family, including his boyfriend, who he kissed on the lips and hugged. His boyfriend is reportedly 23-year-old Vito Cammisano. He and Sam both attended the University of Missouri, where Cammisano was on the swim team from 2009 to 2012.
Sam came out to his teammates before his final season of college ball, and then came out to the world on Feb. 9 in an interview with ESPN and The New York Times, saying "I am an openly, proud gay man."
"Today was a great day for the NFL and for the LGBT community," Bill Gubrud, executive director of Chicago-based National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame, told ChicagoPride.com. "To see an openly gay football player drafted on live tv with he and his lover embracing Is one more step to main stream acceptance in see sports."
Sam was projected to be a 3rd to 4th round pick originally.
"It was obvious teams were hesitant to draft him," said Gubrud. "It took the St. Louis Rams to draft him. The Rams play in Missouri where Sam played his college football."
Sam played football for University of Missouri. He was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year last December.
"I am very thrilled nonetheless to see Sam drafted," added Gubrud.
