#23: Michael Sam

Year They Came Out of the Closet: 2013

Michael Alan Sam Jr., a former NFL defensive end, made history as the first openly gay athlete to be drafted into the NFL when the St. Louis Rams selected him in the seventh round of the 2014 draft. Sam’s college career with the Missouri Tigers was stellar, and he earned recognition after being recruited by coach Craig Kuligowski and accepting a scholarship at the University of Missouri.

In 2015, he joined the Montreal Alouettes, becoming the first openly gay player in the Canadian Football League. Beyond the field, Sam has passionately advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, lobbying Missouri legislators in 2016 against discriminatory measures and engaging with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.