Michael Sam Confident After NFL Debut: I Can Play In This League
- By
- On Top Magazine Staff
- | August 10, 2014
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.)