Michael Sam made a big splash in February by becoming the first openly gay player who would be considered for the National Football League draft. The Rams made history by drafting Michael Sam as the first openly gay player in the NFL in 2014, but there may have been strings attached to that move. The 2014 NFL draft made history when the St. Louis Rams selected Michael Sam in the seventh round. Feb. 9, 2014— -- Michael Sam, a University of Missouri all America defensive lineman expected to be drafted into the NFL, today told ESPN's Chris Connelly that he is gay. Both milestones made American sports history. Sam entering the draft process as an openly gay man was a litmus test for acceptance of LGBTQ+ people as full people; for America's most profitable men's … Like any proud gay man, it was amazing to see Michael Sam drafted into the NFL -- even if it was on the final day and closing moments of the draft. The St. Louis Rams selected Michael Sam in the seventh round of the NFL draft Saturday — making him the first openly gay player to be drafted into the league. Things are starting to get ugly between Michael Sam and the team that drafted him in 2014. In an image taken from video, Michael Sam, left, and boyfriend Vito Cammisano kiss at an NFL draft party in San Diego. The NFL at last has drafted its first openly gay player, and he's headed to St. Louis. After the big names are off the board in the NFL Draft, the biggest question may not be when Michael Sam will be picked, it may be whether Michael Sam … Now you may be asking, Whats the big deal? The Rams selected defensive end Michael Sam with pick No. Michael Sam is going to be drafted for his football ability, and because some team believes Sam's usefulness as a pass-rusher can help it win. I have seen Shaquem Griffin (UCF linebacker, missing left hand) slated to be picked very late in the draft by many analysts, and it seems to me that he might become a feel-good PR pick by a team with expendable picks in the late rounds, a la Michael Sam. Will Shaquem Griffin be a "Michael Sam" pick? Michael Sam: NFL prospect comes out as gay ahead of May's draft. Former Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam, named a first-team All-American after the 2013 season, has publicly come out as gay. Sure enough, with the 249th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Michael Sam was selected. Former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam, who in February announced that he was gay, may not be among the 256 men chosen in this year’s NFL draft, which begins Thursday.In fact, based on … ... Sam’s draft marks a new era for the NFL, and he hopes for the same supportive environment he knew as a college player. He got drafted almost last and probably won’t make the team. Michael Sam was a seventh round pick by the St. Louis Rams. Michael Sam subjected to social media backlash after NFL draft Michael Sam made NFL history this weekend -- but not everyone was ready for it. St. Louis Ram Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by the NFL, celebrated the occasion at TAO Nightclub in Las Vegas Saturday night. Michael Sam, who in 2014 became the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team, announced on Twitter Friday evening that he is walking away from football for mental health reasons. Michael Sam Position: DE 6-2, 261lb (188cm, 118kg) Born: January 7, 1990 College: Missouri (College Stats) Weighted Career ... NFL Draft. Sam was selected in the seventh round, 249th overall, by the St. … Michael Sam was picked by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the NFL draft Saturday, becoming the first openly gay player drafted by a pro football team. Get breaking news alerts and special reports. That I cannot argue with, however, his draft position isn’t what makes this a momentous occasion.