President Barack Obama congratulated
Michael Sam on being the first openly gay player taken in the
National Football League draft.
Sam, a 24-year-old All-American
defensive end, was picked by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh and
final round of this year's draft.
(Related: Michael
Sam becomes first openly gay player drafted by NFL.)
“The President congratulates Michael
Sam, the Rams and the NFL for taking an important step forward in our
Nation's journey,” the
White House said in a statement. “From the corporate field to
the corporate boardroom, LGBT Americans prove everyday that you
should be judged by what you do and not who you are.”
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate
Ellis said Sam had “redefined what it takes to be a champion.”
“He's tackled stereotypes and joins
the ranks of athletic trailblazers like Jason Collins and Brittney
Griner in showing Americans that there's no place for homophobia on
the field,” Ellis said in a statement. “As support for equality
continues to surge, it's clear that sports fans are ready, football
is ready, and America is ready for its first openly gay NFL player.”