Michael Sam — the first openly gay player to be considered for the National Football League — is poised to emerge as a star player and athlete of great character, former ESPN Radio host Jared Max says.
"Everything that we have seen from Michael Sam, this guy's a man,'' Max told "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV. "This is a courageous man, a strong man, somebody that can do a lot for a football team."
Sam, a defensive end who played with the University of Missouri for four years, is expected to be among the 256 men chosen in this year’s NFL draft. He came out of the closet in February.
"Michael Sam … [was] the co-defensive player of the year in the SEC [Southeastern Conference] last season for Missouri, and I don't think it's just coincidence that it's after he came out to his teammates," said Max, who is openly gay himself.
"I know from my own personal experience after coming out that it was much easier for me to be myself and easier to find success with that …
"I can tell you, I'll go out and buy a Michael Sam jersey just because [it's] recognizing that, wow, what this guy's been through. Again, with the NFL, it's so much about character.''
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