Michael Sam Wants to be Treated Like Any Other Football Player--So He Needs to Act Like It

Ever since Michael Sam announced to the world that he is gay there has been one thing that he has asked for from everyone--fans, media, coaches, analysts, and peers alike. He just wants to be treated and viewed like every other football player.

That's understandable, but if that is what he truly thinks he might want to make sure his own actions and words back that up.

@YahooSports/Twitter

The St. Louis Rams took Sam towards the end of the seventh round Saturday and immediately following participated in a conference call with reporters. Most of what he said is exactly what you would want to hear--that he is excited, ready to get to work, and not worried about the haters.

However, there is one comment that stuck out:

Sam: "From last season alone, I should've been in the first three rounds. SEC Defensive Player of the Year, All-American." #RamsDraft
— St. Louis Rams (@STLouisRams) May 11, 2014

So what's he trying to say there? Is he insinuating what many already think? That his sexuality contributed to his downfall? If that is the case it doesn't sound like he's looking at himself as just another football player.

Yes, he had a good resume, but so did many players that went undrafted.

CBS Sports had him listed as the 15th best defensive end in the draft and projected to be a fifth round pick. Projections are just guesses though. Louis Nix III was projected to be a mid to late first rounder and didn't go till the third.

Jackson Jeffcoat had a pretty sweet resume as well (Big 12 Defensive POY, All-American) and didn't get drafted at all.

Maybe it's reading too much in to what he said, but if that is the case he better get used to it. He can ask for folks to look at him as just another football player till the end of days--but it just isn't going to happen.

That's what happens when you are the first of anything.

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