One of the hottest sports topics of the past decade has been that of openly-gay NFL rookie, Michael Sam. Sam was voted the SEC Defensive Player of the year in 2013, and was the first known gay player to be drafted in the NFL. His career has been mired in controversy, even before his first kickoff.
Last night, during ESPN’s annual ESPY Awards, Sam received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for his actions. He was presented the award by Dwayne “The Rock" Johnson, where he made a passionate speech about all that he has been through.
In the speech, Sam used Ashe’s own words of wisdom: “Start Where You Are, Use What You Have and Do What You Can.” He then went to give advice to the countless number of people out there going through their own issues.
“Those were words to live by,” Sam told the crowd. “Whether you’re white or black. Young or old. Straight or gay.”
"The way I see it, my responsibility at this moment in history is to stand up for everyone out there who wants nothing but to be themselves openly," he continued in his speech. "It's amazing to think that by doing what we can, we can all touch, change and even save lives."
Sam will begin his first year in the NFL this upcoming season. Though he is likely not the only gay athlete to ever put on an NFL uniform, he is the only one to do it publicly. Sam was selected as the 249th pick in the draft by the St. Louis Rams.
Despite never playing a professional snap, his jersey is one of the league’s best sellers among rookie players. While Sam will continue to play defense for the Rams, it hasn’t been confirmed which position or scheme he will fit into.
You can watch the emotional speech in the video player below:
