2014 ESPYS: Michael Sam Timeline

Positive Reactions

"There will be negativity, negative reactions," Micheal Sam said when he came out. "But there are going to be positives. The positives will outweigh the negative." Within the first hour of his coming out, he gained 18,000 Twitter followers.

On Twitter, Jason Collins, the first active NBA player to come out as gay, called Sam "a great young man who has shown tremendous courage and leadership."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said: "We admire Michael Sam's honesty and courage. Michael is a football player ... Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014."

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