Missouri Football Star Michael Sam Announces He's Gay

The NFL may soon have its first openly gay football player. On Sunday, three months prior to the upcoming NFL draft, Missouri football star and SEC defensive player of the year, Michael Sam, announced that he was gay.

"I came to tell the world, I am an openly proud gay man," Sam announced in interviews with ESPN and the New York Times. "I understand how big this is. It's a big deal. No one has done this before and it's kind of a nervous process, But I know what I want to be… I want to be a football player in the NFL."

According to Sam, his teammates at the University of Missouri have known that he was gay since August.

Following his public announcement, Sam shared several tweets with fans.

"I want to thank everybody for their support and encouragement,especially @espn, @nytimes and @nfl. I am proud to tell my story to the world!" Sam tweeted. "[I] wouldn't be anywhere without the support of my teammates and #mizzounation. Many thanks to the NFL players & legends who vocally supported me @JeromeBettis36 & @DeionSanders were kinda special for me, not gonna lie!"

After revealing that he was gay to his teammates he received their support.

"Dare to be different and stand for what you believe in! Congrats to my brother @MikeSamFootball," University of Missouri wide receiver L'Damian Washington wrote on Sunday night.

Also on Sunday, NBA player Jason Collins, who was the first openly gay male in a professional sports league, tweeted his support for Sam. "For the past 2 days I have met with @MikeSamFootball here in LA," he said. "He is a great young man who has shown tremendous courage and leadership."

Amid all the support, the NFL released a statement of their own which read, "We admire Michael Sam's honesty and courage. Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014."

According to reports, Sam is expected to be drafted in the first two days of the NFL draft, which begins on Thurs., May 8.