What NFL Player Came Out as Gay?

This NFL player just came out as gay, and we couldn’t be more proud! Read on to learn more about his story and what this means for the future of the NFL.

Michael Sam

Michael Sam, an NFL player, came out as gay in February 2014. He became the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL. After he came out, he received support from many people, including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Drafted by the Rams

After a successful college career, Michael Sam was drafted by the Rams in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft, making him the 249th overall pick. He became the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL.

During his preseason debut, Sam recorded six tackles and three sacks. He was later cut by the Rams during roster cuts on August 30, 2014, but was signed to the team’s practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on September 21, 2014, but was again cut on October 21. On December 21, 2014, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to their practice squad.

First openly gay player in the NFL

In 2014, Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team. Sam was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. He came out publicly in February of that year, before the draft took place.

While Sam’s sexual orientation was not a secret to those close to him, he had never publicly discussed it until he came out in an interview with ESPN. In the months leading up to the draft, there was speculation about whether or not Sam would be drafted at all, and if so, how high he would go. Sam ultimately fell to the seventh round, where he was selected by the Rams.

Following his selection, Sam kissed his boyfriend on national television, becoming the first openly gay player to do so. He later announced that he would be donating his brain to science to help study concussions and other head injuries in football players.

Jason Collins

Jason Collins, a 34-year-old NBA player, came out as gay in a first-person article published in Sports Illustrated. Collins, who is now a free agent, becomes the first active player in any of the four major U.S. professional sports leagues to come out as gay. In the article, Collins says he realized he needed to come out in order to “live a honest and fulfilling life.”

First openly gay player in the NBA

Jason Collins, a center for the Washington Wizards, became the first openly gay player in the NBA on April 29, 2013. In an article published by Sports Illustrated, Collins came out as gay, saying, “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”

Collins’ announcement makes him the first active openly gay player in any of the four major U.S. professional sports leagues. He joins a small but growing number of out athletes in other pro sports leagues, including Major League Soccer and the National Football League.

In his article, Collins said he realized he was gay while attending Stanford University. He came out to family and friends shortly thereafter but decided not to reveal his sexual orientation publicly until now.

“I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport,” Collins wrote. “But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation.”

Robbie Rogers

Robbie Rogers, an American soccer player, came out as gay in 2013. He is the only active male professional athlete in any of the four major North American sports leagues to have done so. Rogers came out in a blog post on his website, which was then also published on The Huffington Post. In his post, Rogers said that he had been “afraid” and “scared” to come out, but that he had realized that there was “nothing wrong” with being gay.

First openly gay player in MLS

Robbie Rogers became the first openly gay player in Major League Soccer when he came out in 2013. He also became the first openly gay man to compete in any of North America’s “big four” professional sports leagues.

Rogers, who came out publicly in a blog post in February 2013, announced his retirement from soccer later that year. In December 2013, he was signed by the Los Angeles Galaxy, making him the first openly gay man to compete in any of North America’s “big four” professional sports leagues.

Since coming out, Rogers has been an outspoken advocate forLGBT rights, especially within the world of sports. In April 2014, he was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.