“My name is Michael Sam. I’m from Hutchinson, Texas. My major is sports management … and I’m gay.”
The first time Sam publicly spoke the words “I’m gay” was at a team meeting the first day of football training camp his senior year at the University of Missouri. In 2014, as he prepared to enter the NFL draft, he revealed his sexual orientation during an ESPN interview, sending shockwaves through the sports world and nearly derailing his entry into the NFL.
Sam did get drafted – in the last round – by the St. Louis Rams. Although his pro football career didn’t pan out, he emerged as a pioneer for LGBT athletes and an icon for inclusion.
On Tuesday, Sam shared his personal journey of triumph through adversity as the keynote speaker for HYPE Day #5, encouraging students to live their truth and be accepting of everyone.
Sam grew up in a small Texas town, one of eight children. Tragedy struck his family multiple times in his early years with the deaths of two siblings, the disappearance of another and abuse at the hands of his father. “After that, our family was never the same again,” Sam said.
In seventh grade, his mother, a Jehovah’s Witness, allowed him to play sports. Despite knocking out his own quarterback in his first game, Sam picked up the game really quickly. “Clearly, I got better after that,” he joked.
As a high-schooler, Sam hadn’t even thought about college – until he received his first college letter from Oklahoma State University as a sophomore. After a heart-to-heart with his coach about his sub-par grades, Sam decided to improve so he could play college football. That same time, Sam’s attraction to men began.
“But there was no one I could talk to and no resources for me to go to,” he recalled, figuring he would “bury those feelings” until after college.
That lasted until the rumors started flying and Sam met his boyfriend, Vito. After some soul-searching, fast forward to that team meeting when he stood in front of his Tiger teammates and came out for the first time.
When he returned to Mizzou to train for pro day in preparation for the NFL draft, the impact of his revelation came to light. Sam spoke with the cousin of a teammate who had been bullied and attempted suicide. The woman told Sam that his courage had saved her life.
From that moment, his perspective changed. Sam had a new revelation: “There are people out there who are afraid to own their truth. Life is more important than anything else in the world, guys.”
Sam was released by the St. Louis Rams at the end of training camp and was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent the majority of his rookie season. The Cowboys released him and he is currently an unsigned free agent.
But that’s OK. Last summer, Sam decided to pursue other goals. Today, he shares his story and works for non-profits, spreading messages of anti-bullying and acceptance.
“Maybe football wasn’t my calling; maybe it was just the gateway,” he said. “I believe what I’m supposed to do is help other people.”
Learn more about the HYPE Career Ready program.