May 11, 2014
Ernesto McConnell
Reporter
Headlines
With the 249th pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the St. Louis Rams made history. The Rams selected Michael Sam, the 2013 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the year; Sam is also the first openly-gay player to be drafted into the National Football League. Sam addressed the media prior to the NFL Combine, and with his press release became the first openly-gay NFL prospect. Sam played defensive end at Missouri, but his size, 6’2” and 260 lbs, is more along the lines of an outside linebacker in the NFL. In college, Sam prided himself on his ability to frustrate offenses as a downhill player. He showed stiff hips and a less-than-ideal footwork at the NFL combine this spring, and many scouts feel that his skill set and size will not translate well into the NFL, altough at least one coach thinks otherwise. Rams head coach Jeff Fisher stated “I’ve been thinking about it. He’s a good football player. We’re glad to have him. We got better when we took him, and we’re gonna do everything we can to get the most out of him.”
