Sam — accompanied by his boyfriend, Vito Cammisano — received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award and gave a speech in which he explained how Ashe's words guided him this year.

Openly gay rookie linebacker Michael Sam has "absolutely not" created a distraction for the St. Louis Rams, coach Jeff Fisher told ESPN Radio on Wednesday.

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Michael Sam's long, excruciating wait lasted nearly three full days before the St. Louis Rams drafted him Saturday night. In the nearly three full days since, Sam hasn't taken ...

Feb. 10, 2014 -- Football players, coaches and personalities had a range of reactions to prospective NFL player Michael Sam’s announcement that he’s gay.

The journey continues. - Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 30, 2014 Sam officially hit waivers Saturday at 4 p.m. ET when all NFL teams had to trim their rosters to the league-mandated 53 players.

The journey continues. - Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 30, 2014 Sam officially hit waivers Saturday at 4 p.m. ET when all NFL teams had to trim their rosters to the league-mandated 53 players.

Michael Sam, a defensive end at Missouri who will enter the N.F.L. draft, announced Sunday that he was gay. People in his hometown of Hitchcock, Tex., and on his college team voiced their support.

Michael Sam made it clear Tuesday his focus is on moving past the bright lights and cameras and on to making the Rams' 53-man roster.