Michael Sam Gay: Missouri Football Player Reveals He Had a Boyfriend While in College

Michael Sam Gay: Missouri Football Player Reveals He Had a Boyfriend While in College

Missouri football player Michael Sam came out as gay publicly for the first time on Sunday (February 9, 2014). The defensive lineman from the Missouri Tigers followed in the footsteps of Conner Martens, a place kicker at Willamette University who revealed he’s gay last month. “I'm not afraid to tell the world who I am,” he said. “I'm Michael Sam: I'm a college graduate. I'm African American, and I'm gay. I'm comfortable in my skin.”

Michael Sam, who just came out to his parents last week, told his teammates and coaches he’s LGBT during a team building exercise last August. When he revealed his secret, it appeared that they knew it all along anyway. They even protected his status from the public eye despite he never asking this protection of anyone. Sam also confirmed that he dated a fellow Mizzou athlete who was not a football player. He had his boyfriend while in college and he didn’t hide it. “I actually dated someone in college,” the 24-year-old player said. “I wasn’t hiding it, but I didn’t come out either. And people were just like, ‘OK, Michael Sam is gay.’ I wasn’t hiding my relationship with him, but finally coming out to the team made it official.”

Michael Sam announced publicly that he was gay on Sunday (February 9, 2014). The Associated Press' SEC Defensive Player of the Year said that he knew he was attracted to guys from a young age and he had a boyfriend while in college.

Michael Sam came out as gay ahead of the 2014 NFL Draft, which could make him become the first openly gay player in the NFL.

The 6-foot-2, 260 pound lineman was raised in the small town of Hitchcock in Texas. His upbringing was full of adversity.

Michael Sam followed in the footsteps of Conner Martens, who came out to his coach and teammates at Willamette University in January 2014. (Photo credit: Cyd Zeigler)

Michael Sam received messages of support from players and fans after he came out as gay. (Photo credit: AP Photo/G.M. Andrews)

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