President Obama congratulated Michael Sam on Saturday for being the first openly gay football player drafted by an NFL team, the White House said in a statement.
“From the playing field to the corporate boardroom, LGBT Americans prove everyday that you should be judged by what you do and not who you are,” the president said.
Sam made history when he was picked by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh and final round of the NFL draft, CNN reported.
Mr. Obama called his selection “an important step forward.”
Sam was picked late Saturday in the third day of the NFL draft by the Rams. He was filmed by ESPN when he got the call and broke down in the arms of his boyfriend, CNN said.
He tweeted a picture of himself and said, “Thank you to the St. Louis Rams and the whole city of St. Louis. I’m using every (ounce) of this to achieve greatness!!”
Sam played college football at the University of Missouri and came out as openly gay in media interviews earlier this year.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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