St. Louis Rams Select SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Michael Sam
St. Louis Rams select Michael Sam and Make History (via @djsinamin)
After days of waiting, SEC defensive player of the year Michael Sam now has an NFL home. Come August, he’ll be playing defensive end for the St. Louis Rams alongside his University of Missouri teammate T.J. Moe.
Sam was the 249th overall pick in the seventh round of the NFL draft. When he heard the news Sam went to twitter to thank, “the St. Louis Rams and the whole city of St. Louis.”
Sam was watching the draft from home with friends and family when he received the call that he had been selected by the St. Louis Rams. His boyfriend was nearby for emotional support. In celebration they shared a kiss and some cake then Sam smashed the cake in his partner’s face wedding-style.
Despite speculation that Sam’s public coming out in February would keep him from being drafted , Sam was one of the final players drafted in the two-day event, with seven players chosen following Sam.
LGBT groups everywhere were quick to applaud this draft decision.
In a statement Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin “We congratulate Michael Sam and the St. Louis Rams on their terrific decision to draft him. Today, LGBT young people can look to Sam as proof that being open and proud of who you are doesn’t keep you from achieving your dreams. Gay people are our neighbors and friends. They’re our United States Senators and, starting today, they’re our professional football stars.”
“Without a doubt, this is a game changer,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Today, Michael Sam has redefined what it takes to be a champion. He’s tackled stereotypes and joins the ranks of athletic trailblazers like Jason Collins and Brittney Griner in showing Americans that there’s no place for homophobia on the field. As support for equality continues to surge, it’s clear that sports fans are ready, football is ready, and America is ready for its first openly gay NFL player.”
I was lucky enough to be DJing at an event at St. Louis City Hall to benefit PROMO, an LGBT advocacy group. We definitely celebrated this historic moment!! So shout out to the St. Louis Rams and Mr. Sam, welcome to STL!!!
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