Brooklyn Nets center Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in NBA history, was happy and excited for new St. Louis Ram Sam Michael who was drafted in the seventh round of the NFL draft last Saturday.
Like Sam, Collins became a groundbreaking player in his league when he announced that he is gay last year. He was not signed by any team after the announcement, and he waited for months until he got the call from the Nets prompted by the injury to star center Brooke Lopez. After signing consecutive 10-day contracts with the Nets, he was signed for the rest of the season.
"It takes more and more people just to come forward and show we're normal people and we're just trying to make plays to help our respective teams win," Collins said. "This is a great day for the NFL and for Michael Sam and his family."
Collins and Sam are friends. The former met the lineman before Sam announced his sexuality earlier this year.
Collins, who is part of the Nets' playoff roster against the Miami Heat, said he wished that Sam went to the Indianapolis Colts, being a fan of the team and quarterback Andre Luck.
Although Sam wound up getting drafted by the Rams, Collins is still ecstatic for the former Mizzou standout telling the NY Daily News: "But I am very happy for Michael that he got drafted and that his dream is coming true and he will have an opportunity to make the team and I wish him luck."
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