Missouri All-American Michael Sam says he is gay, and the defensive end could become the first openly homosexual player in the NFL.

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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In interviews with ESPN, The New York Times and Outsports, Sam says he came out to his teammates and coaches at Missouri in August.

Sam says: "I am an openly, proud gay man."

The 255-pound Sam participated in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., last month after leading the SEC in sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (19), and he is projected to be a mid-round NFL draft pick.

He says: "It's a big deal. No one has done this before. And it's kind of a nervous process, but I know what I want to be ... I want to be a football player in the NFL."

 

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