Michael Sam became the first openly gay college football player to be drafted in the NFL when the St. Louis Rams drafted him the seventh round Saturday. The reaction was mostly positive.
- The Associated Press reported that Rams coach Jeff Fisher is confident Sam is the right fit for the team.
- President Barack Obama praised the Rams and the NFL for selecting Sam, the Washington Post reported.
- NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that four teams were ready to offer Sam a free-agent contract if he went undrafted. That included the Baltimore Ravens, according to CSN Baltimore.
- The AP reported that the news networks had no issue with showing Sam kissing his boyfriend in reaction to being drafted by the Rams. Producer Seth Markman led the draft coverage for ESPN said there wasn't a discussion before it happened and NFL Network senior coordinating producer Mike Muriano said his network had no problem televising Sam's jubilation. Markham said it might be a generational split.
- Sam's televised reaction led Miami Dolphins safety Donald Jones to post negative tweets about the newly drafted Rams linebacker. Jones, a seventh-round pick last year, was then fined and suspended by the Dolphins until he undergoes sensitivity training, the Miami Herald reported.
-- Bill Bradley, contributing editor