Robin Roberts, Martina Navratilova and
Jason Collins were among the celebrities cheering Michael Sam as he
became the first openly gay football player drafted by the NFL.
Sam, a 24-year-old All-American
defensive end, was picked Saturday 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.)
Robbie Rogers, professional soccer's
first openly gay player, congratulated Sam in a tweet which included
mentions to Megan Rapinoe and Jason Collins: “Congrats
@MikeSamFootball & @STLouisRams! Also good luck @mPinoe &
@JasonCollins34 tonight! #myheros.”
“I'm getting ready for my game
against the @MiamiHEAT,” out NBA player Jason Collins message, “but
I wanted to say congrats to @MikeSamFootball & @STLouisRams.
Great pick. Good luck.”
“Go Rams for drafting Michael Sam- a
wise pic :),” out tennis legend Martina Navratilova tweeted.
Good Morning America co-host
Robin Roberts noted the historic significance of the pick: “Congrats
to all who were drafted, realizing a dream, a special moment.
Including historic moment for @MikeSamFootball.”
Ben Cohen, whose group StandUp
Foundation fights homophobia in sports, added: “Congrats to
@michaelsamfootball for becoming first out LGBT player in NFL. We
stand up with you!”