For some reason, it was easier for skaters, skiers and tennis players to come out as gay than people who play 'macho' sports like football. That was until Michael Sam summed up the courage to become the first ever openly gay NFL player in 2014. Sam was especially bold; he came out before the draft, and there were fears that his declaration would put teams off the idea of drafting him. Fortunately, the Rams were there to step in and pick him up.
Sam's story made history and was such a big deal at the time that then-President Barack Obama took the step of publicly congratulating him for his courage. He would then go on to become the first openly gay player in the CFL when he signed for the Montreal Alouettes but retired from the sport shortly after due to mental health issues. He now works as an author and a motivational speaker.