Michael Sam, the NFL's first openly gay
player, sounded confident after his first outing Friday as a St.
Louis Ram in a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints in St.
Louis.
“I can play in this league,” Sam
told reporters Friday night. “That's the most important. I was
kind of nervous. I got some nerves out today. It was a very good
learning experience, and I can play in this league.”
Sam entered the game, a 26-24 loss for
the Saints, with about 5 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
“I make plays,” he said. “That's
what you're supposed to do.”
USA Today quoted a few unnamed
scouts who expressed doubts about Sam's abilities.
“I think he's going to struggle
against the run,” one
said.
“He's a good hustle player,”
another said. “I just wonder if that's enough. He's a stiff dude.
But if you can run and hustle, you give yourself a chance.”
(Related: Daniel
Radcliffe cheers on Michael Sam.)