It's been almost a year since Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team, and in the months since, things haven't gone quite according to plan.
Sam was cut by the St. Louis Rams before he ever had a chance to play a down in a regular season game.
Worse, he was suggested to homophobic online harassment that served as a reminder of how much progress the sports world needs to make in terms of accepting athletes of every background and sexual orientation.
But the various obstacles that Sam has faced in pursuit of his dream have made him even more of a role model to gay athletes and members of the LGBT community in general, and he now says that his struggle is more common than many fans might think.
In an interview published today by the Forth Worth Star-Telegram, Sam revealed that several gay NFL players who have not yet come out contacted him over the past year to thank him for his bravery and offer words of encouragement.
"I am not the only gay person in the NFL," Sam said. "I'm just saying there is a lot of us.
"I respect the players that did reach out to me and had the courage to tell me they were also gay, but they do not have the same courage as I do to come out before I even played a down in the NFL.
"I will never say anything about who they are, what teams the are on. I'm just saying there's some famous people, and I'm not the only one."
Earlier this week, Sam participated in the NFL's Veteran Combine along with many other free agents. He ran a 4.99 second 40-yard dash and told reporters he has no intention of giving on his dream of playing professional football.
Michael Sam father has failed. Fuck all his accomplishments, records, and etc.. yo sons a faggot.
@_TreyMal
I'm sorry but there's is no room for Jason Collins & Michael Sam playing a man sport ain't shit manly bout being a fag
@DewuanS
I wish they take this faggot michael sam off my fucking screen show some real sports news nd highlights
@ILikeTheOCup
MICHAEL SAM U FUCKING FRUITFLY FAG . , NO FAGS ARE ALLOWED IN THE NFL BITCH . GO PLAY ANOTHER SPORT
@laeeyo
@WBCSays: Westboro Baptist Church to picket @Mizzou on Saturday, 2/15/14 at 2:30PM!
The fact that all these allegedly "straight" guys are defending this punk/fag Michael Sam makes my stomach tur
@Bryan_giveNoFuc
Michael Sam first openly gay athlete in the NFL??? that's freaking disgusting!!!!!! should be kicked out if the NFL and the USA
@greyclark24
Michael Sam mouth look like its just wating to gobble dick. He gonna be tryna turn them NFL boys out with a lil head.....
@stoplying_hoe
Michael Sam to be the first publicly gay football player in the NFL. Why is it relevant where he stick his genitals? Gross! Your thoughts?
@xcerptshow
It's unbelievable how much Michael Sam is being praised for being gay and how criticized Tim Tebow was for being a Christian.
@MattKingKonger
michael sam is disgusting. i doubt he gets drafted, way to betray god!
KingPaggi3
Michael Sam from Mizzou a fucking fag.
@ShitTalkin_Carl
@icanhasbailout: So, message to Michael Sam and those like him: NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT A MAN WHO LIKES TO SUCK COCK. GET BACK IN THE FUCKING CLOSET.
these faggots stay coming out the closet fuck michael sam.
@ED_THE_TRUTH305
@WezDublin: @ESPNUK: "I'm not afraid to tell the world who I am. I'm Michael Sam: A college graduate, African American, and I'm gay. Fag hahaha.
Fuck Michael sam.
@Escobar_Pleaser
I'm already tired of hearing about Michael sam's lust for dick.
@cougar_prey
Fuck Michael Sam .. can't even watch ESPN without these anchors making him sound like a hero.. All he did was SUCK cock.
@J_Marz_21
The End.
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