Michael Sam has been an icon for LGBT Americans after becoming the first openly gay footbal player in the NFL's history. Now, he's opening up more than ever before with a candid interview with the men's magazine GQ. The publication named Michael Sam as one of it's Men of the Year.
Michael Sam Convinced He Belongs In The NFL
Most provacatively, Sam spoke at length about the rocky relationship he has with his family, including his older brothers, both of whom have had trouble with the law. Sam flatly refers to them as "evil."
"Most of the time, [Sam's time with his brothers] was scary. I tried to stay away as much as possible...We called the cops on my brothers so many times I can’t even count. Not only for hurting me. They’d abuse my sisters. Verbally abuse my mom. My brothers were evil people. I don’t have a relationship with them now. They’ve both written me letters from prison. For them to dare to call themselves my brothers—I can’t live with that.”
Sam stated that originally football was merely a hobby to keep him away from his turbulent home life. But eventually by college he had grown to love it.
"Mizzou was my real family. I loved it. Football was a sense of home. A home I never had," he says.
An SEC defensive player of the year at Missouri, Sam was drafted in the 7th round of the 2014 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams.
Dallas Cowboys Release Defensive End Michael Sam From Practice Team
Though he had a strong preaseason showing on the defensive line, Sam faced an uphill battle to earn a spot on the Ram's 53-man active roster due to the heavy depth at the position. Sam was eventually released by the Rams and picked up by the Dallas Cowboy's practice squad, where he remained for a number of weeks before also being released there as well.
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