Michael Sam receives a congratulatory statement from President Obama on being the first openly gay football player drafted into the NFL.
“President Obama congratulates Michael Sam, the Rams and the NFL for taking an important step forward in our Nation’s journey.”
On Saturday, the St. Louis Rams drafted Missouri defensive end Michael Sam in the last round, making him the first openly gay football player drafted into the NFL. With the Missouri Tigers, Michael Sam was an All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Some critics warned that he might be risking his chances at a career in the NFL after coming out as gay ahead of the draft.
The White House statement also said, “From the playing field to the corporate boardroom, LGBT Americans prove every day that you should be judged by what you do and not who you are.”