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Michael Sam, First Openly Gay NFL Player, Breaks Down When He Hears He's Been Drafted (VIDEO)

First Openly Gay NFL Drafted, His Reaction Is Beautiful
The Huffington Post UK
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This tearjerker of a video shows the remarkable moment the NFL's first openly gay player learned he had been drafted.

Michael Sam was chosen by the St. Louis Rams and received the news over the phone.

The 24-year-old was visibly emotional as he took the call but couldn't contain his feelings - nor could his boyfriend.

Sam from Hitchcock, Texas announced that he was gay in February in interviews with The New York Times and ESPN.

He told both media outlets that he came out to his teammates during a preseason football practice before the Tigers' 2013 campaign.

At the time he said: "I understand how big this is. It's a big deal. No one has done this before. And it's kind of a nervous process, but I know what I want to be ... I want to be a football player in the NFL."

A Christian lobbyist had promised to create a "relentless national boycott" for any American football team that drafts Michael Sam, an openly gay college star, into the NFL.

Thankfully no one listened to him.

2014 NFL Draft Picks
1. Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE - South Carolina(01 of32)
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2. St. Louis Rams: Greg Robinson, OT - Auburn(02 of32)
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3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles, QB - UCF(03 of32)
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4. Buffalo Bills: Sammy Watkins, WR - Clemson(04 of32)
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Bills traded up to No. 4. They sent the Browns their 2014 No. 9 overall pick, a 2015 first-round pick and 2015 fourth-round pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported. (credit:Getty Images)
5. Oakland Raiders: Khalil Mack, OLB - Buffalo(05 of32)
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6. Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT - Texas A&M(06 of32)
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7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR - Texas A&M(07 of32)
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8. Cleveland Browns: Justin Gilbert, CB - Oklahoma State(08 of32)
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Browns traded up one spot to No. 8. They dealt the Vikings a fifth-round pick, along with the No. 9 pick, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported. (credit:Getty Images)
9. Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Barr, OLB - UCLA(09 of32)
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Vikings traded down to No. 9. (credit:Getty Images)
10. Detroit Lions: Eric Ebron, TE: North Carolina(10 of32)
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11. Tennessee Titans: Taylor Lewan, OT - Michigan(11 of32)
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12. New York Giants: Odell Beckham Jr., WR - LSU(12 of32)
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13. St. Louis Rams: Aaron Donald, DT - Pittsburgh(13 of32)
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14. Chicago Bears: Kyle Fuller, CB - Virginia Tech(14 of32)
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15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ryan Shazier, OLB - Ohio State(15 of32)
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16. Dallas Cowboys: Zack Martin, OG - Notre Dame(16 of32)
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17. Baltimore Ravens: C.J. Mosley, ILB - Alabama(17 of32)
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18. New York Jets: Calvin Pryor, FS - Louisville(18 of32)
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19. Miami Dolphins: Jawuan James, OT - Tennessee(19 of32)
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20. New Orleans Saints: Brandin Cooks, WR - Oregon State(20 of32)
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The Saints traded up to No. 20. The Cardinals received New Orleans' No. 27 pick and their third-rounder (91 overall), Sports Illustrated reported. (credit:Getty Images)
21. Green Bay Packers: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS - Alabama(21 of32)
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22. Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel, QB - Texas A&M(22 of32)
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The Philadelphia Eagles traded the 22nd pick to the Browns and moved down to 26th. The Browns dealt their third-rounder (86th overall), Albert Breer of the NFL Network reported. (credit:Getty Images)
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Dee Ford, DE - Auburn(23 of32)
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24. Cincinnati Bengals: Darqueze Dennard, CB - Michigan State(24 of32)
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25. San Diego Chargers: Jason Verrett, CB - TCU (25 of32)
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26. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Smith, DE - Louisville(26 of32)
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27. Arizona Cardinals: Deone Bucannon, SS - Washington State(27 of32)
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28. Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR - FSU(28 of32)
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29. New England Patriots: Dominique Easley, DT - Florida(29 of32)
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30. San Francisco 49ers: Jimmie Ward, SS - Northern Illinois(30 of32)
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31: Denver Broncos: Bradley Roby, CB - Ohio State(31 of32)
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32: Minnesota Vikings: Teddy Bridgewater, QB - Louisville(32 of32)
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Seahawks traded the 32nd pick to the Vikings for the 40th (2nd round) and 108th (4th round) picks. (credit:Getty Images)
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