The NFL Will have its first Openly Gay Player This Fall

Michael Sam, the SEC defensive player of the year. The story of how he told his teammates (who knew all year and didn't give a shit) is probably the most powerful element in this whole thing:

Coaches at the University of Missouri divided players into small groups at a preseason football practice last year for a team-building exercise. One by one, players were asked to talk about themselves — where they grew up, why they chose Missouri and what others might not know about them.

As Michael Sam, a defensive lineman, began to speak, he balled up a piece of paper in his hands. “I’m gay,” he said. With that, Mr. Sam set himself on a path to become the first publicly gay player in the National Football League.

“I looked in their eyes, and they just started shaking their heads — like, finally, he came out,” Mr. Sam said Sunday in an interview with The New York Times, the first time he had spoken publicly about his sexual orientation.

For another interesting behind the scenes look on how this transpired, this outsports article is amazing.