Sam has recently became the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL

Sitting around, waiting patiently around for their name to be called could be frightening for anyone. Michael Sam, from Galveston, Texas, received his phone call from the St. Louis Rams in the 7th round. He was selected in the 249 spot in the draft. What followed next caught most of America by surprise. Celebrating the call and his new position on the Rams, he embraced his boyfriend, Vito Cammisano, in his arms and kissed him on national television.

Sam became one of the first college football players to come out as gay in an interview with Chris Connelly in February.

Many applauded the act that played out on television,while some players like Don Jones, Miami Dolphins, tweeted their disbelief. “OMG” Jones tweeted after the kiss, and when a follower asked about if it was about the kiss, he tweeted, “Horrible.” As in any public relations miscues like this, the tweets were consequently deleted.

“I was made aware of it and I was disappointed in those comments,” Dennis Hickey, Dolphins general manager said about the tweets by Jones.

The culture of the NFL has been changing recently to be more accepting towards lifestyles that have never been made public. They also have taken a stance against bullying and hazing in the locker room, like with the situation in Miami with Jonathan Martin.

With Michael’s coming out it could give future players the courage they need to do the same. The NFL is being very supportive of equal rights for all of their players. “We’re in an age of diversity. Players understand that, they know that,” Jeff Fisher, the Rams’ coach said. People will try to make it [Sam’s sexual orientation] a distraction, but it’s not a distraction.”

“I’m sure it was a very, very difficult thing for him to do,” Fisher said. “I would also submit it was probably a tremendous load off his shoulders.”

Sam is aware that he will most likely be facing much more scrutiny on his coming out, but this isn’t a concern to him. “Hey, are there going to be idiots out there and say some stupid stuff? Yeah,” Sam said. “I’m not worried about that.”

Even the fans have been showing their support. Sam’s jersey outsold almost all of the first round draft picks’, only being outsold by Cleveland Browns Quarterback, Johnny Manziel.

Dom- you might want to explain that with a sentence or two. not everyone will get that.