February 9, 2014

By Erik Hall and Matthew Fairburn

COLUMBIA — Missouri defensive end Michael Sam knew the time was right.

He knew when he got to Missouri that he was gay. He knew before his All-American season in 2013 that he was ready to tell his teammates. And now, as he prepares for the 2014 NFL Draft, he knows the time is right for him to announce his sexuality publicly.

"I believe it’s the right time," Sam told the Missourian in a phone interview Sunday night. "It’s a time I can finally tell my story and how I want to tell it."

February 9, 2014

By Erik Hall and Matthew Fairburn

COLUMBIA — Missouri defensive end Michael Sam has a challenge in front of him.

He already went from being a two-star recruit out of Hitchcock, Texas, to an All-American and the 2013 Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year. He was the breakout star on a Missouri team that reached the SEC Championship game in 2013.

Now, Sam is preparing for the 2014 NFL Draft, which could be his biggest challenge yet. After announcing publicly Sunday he is gay, Sam is attempting to become the first openly gay player in the NFL.

February 9, 2014

By Erik Hall and Matthew Fairburn

COLUMBIA — Michael Sam announced publicly he is gay Sunday. The announcement received lots of reactions from around the sports world, including former Missouri athletes, alumni, an NFL scout and Cyd Zeigler of OutSports.com. Here's some of what they told the Missourian on Sunday.

February 10, 2014

By Erik Hall

COLUMBIA — Howard Bragman orchestrated Michael Sam’s announcement about his homosexuality.

His next step is to make sure Sam focuses on football, not media interviews.

“I think you announce it once, you announce it well and then you shut up and let him get ready for the combine and to be a professional football player,” Bragman, whose public relations firm, Fifteen Minutes, specializes in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual issues, said in an interview Sunday night with the Missourian.

March 20, 2014

By Erik Hall

COLUMBIA — Michael Sam walked out of the Devine Practice Facility just before 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The four words he said to his agents Joe Barkett and Cameron Weiss made clear how draining his four-plus hours of Pro Day had been.

"These legs — they shot," Sam said.

His right leg was more than just tired. Sam injured his right hamstring during the 40-yard dash.

"I don’t think it’s that serious," Barkett said while Sam went through positional drills. "He’s out there right now doing linebacker drills and running around and working out. If it was too serious, he would be out."

May 10, 2014

By Erik Hall

COLUMBIA — ESPN showed Michael Sam on the telephone after the St. Louis Rams took him with the 249th pick in the NFL draft.

Sam broke down sobbing. He tucked his face toward the chest of his pink Polo shirt. He wore an MU Pride rainbow bracelet on his right wrist and his 2013 SEC East championship ring on his right ring finger.

The NFL had drafted its first openly gay player.

When he got off the phone, Sam turned to his left and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, Vito Cammisano, and kissed him on the lips. Sam’s spokesman, Howard Bragman, identified Cammisano as Sam's boyfriend.

May 14, 2014

By Erik Hall and Paige Blankenbuehler

COLUMBIA — Thousands of people have sat on Oprah Winfrey’s couch in her studio, but Michael Sam got to eat lunch in her home.

That meal with Winfrey convinced the former Missouri football player that The Oprah Winfrey Network is the right place to document his preparation for the NFL, according to Sam's spokesman Howard Bragman. 

OWN announced Wednesday it is producing a multi-part documentary about Sam.

"Michael felt safe and comfortable, and knowing the network's so much about empowerment and positive change, he feels like it's a good place to be," Bragman said in a phone interview with the Missourian. 

Aug. 26, 2014

By Erik Hall

EARTH CITY — St. Louis Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines felt a sinking feeling when he walked in the team locker room Monday.

The locker that belonged to his former Missouri teammate T.J. Moe sat empty. When Moe was not out at practice, Gaines knew. His friend got cut.

Aug. 30, 2014

By Erik Hall

EARTH CITY — St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher said he pulled for Michael Sam to make the team’s 53-man roster.

But about an hour before Fisher’s 3:30 p.m. press conference Saturday, he made a phone call to Sam. Fisher told the former Missouri All-American defensive lineman he was being waived.

Sept. 1, 2014

By Erik Hall

COLUMBIA — Michael Sam remains a man without a team.

The St. Louis Rams announced their 10-man practice squad Monday afternoon, and the former Missouri all-American defensive lineman was not included. The Rams practice squad includes one defensive lineman, Matt Conrath, a 6-foot-7 defensive tackle from Virginia.

Sept. 2, 2014

By Erik Hall

COLUMBIA — ESPN's Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport from the NFL Network both reported Tuesday that the Dallas Cowboys are bringing former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam in for a physical Wednesday.

A Cowboys spokeswoman told the Missourian, "We actually don't know anything about that."

Sept. 3, 2014

By Erik Hall

Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett announced Wednesday the addition of Michael Sam to the team’s practice squad.

“We feel like he has a chance to come in at a position that we’ve tried to address throughout the offseason, throughout training camp and compete for a spot,” Garrett said of Sam.

Oct. 21, 2014

By Erik Hall

The Dallas Cowboys announced Tuesday afternoon that the team released former Missouri football player Michael Sam from the team's practice squad.

Sam received national attention since leaving Missouri for announcing publicly in February that he is gay.

Nov. 4, 2014

By Erik Hall

Sports Illustrated announced Tuesday morning that former Missouri football player Michael Sam is a finalist for the magazine’s Sportsman of the Year.

Sam is the only openly gay athlete to be selected in the NFL draft.

"I didn't even know about that (the nomination)," Sam told the Missourian on Tuesday. "You are actually the first person to say. I probably need to ask my agent what's going on. I'm in the dark."

Dec. 11, 2014

By Erik Hall

A broadcast date has been set for the Michael Sam documentary, according to the Oprah Winfrey Network.

The documentary, titled "Michael Sam" will air at 8 p.m. Dec. 27. It will be followed at 9:30 p.m. by an hour-long interview with Sam conducted by Winfrey.

Dec. 31, 2014

By Erik Hall

COLUMBIA — In August 2013, Michael Sam told his Missouri football teammates that he is gay.

On Feb. 9, 2014, Sam told the world.

The Tigers' All-American defensive end revealed his sexuality publicly in interviews with The New York Times, ESPN and OutSports.com on that Sunday night.