In America, professional sports are immensely popular with the National Football League (NFL) leading the way. At some points, the sports world can mix with the political world, but events that happen in  sports will likely get more people to pay attention.

On Feb. 9 defensive lineman from the University of Missouri, Michael Sam, publicly came out as a gay man in an interview with ESPN’s “Outside the Lines.” 

“I’m not afraid to tell the world who I am. I’m Michael Sam: I’m a college graduate. I’m African American, and I’m gay.”

Sam is an NFL prospect and will be apart of the NFL draft in early May. Sam was an All-American defensive lineman last year and was voted Associated Press’ Southeastern Conference (SEC) Defensive Player of the Year.

It’s important to recognize that what Michael Sam did was far greater then what most of us can think of. Not only is he providing a platform for other gay athletes in all sports but he also has the ability to change the macho landscape of the NFL. Until this past Sunday, there had never been an openly gay athlete to play on a team in one of the four major sports in America. At the end of the 2012-2013 NBA season, 12-year veteran Jason Collins came out publicly as gay. On Feb. 23, Collins signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets. Collins was put out on the court that night against the Los Angeles Lakers and made history, becoming the first ever openly gay athlete to actively play in a major North American sport. However, Collins’ future remains full of questions.

There is a fear by some that Sam might be picked later in the draft than expected. However, Michael Sam should be praised and not criticized and ignored for his decision to publicly come out and more importantly he should be judged only on his performance on the field.

“If you led the SEC with 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for losses?” Sam said laughing, “If a gay person did that, I wouldn’t call that person weak.”

The majority of us would like to think that Michael Sam will find acceptance and respect in all NFL locker rooms but not everyone has expressed support of the idea of a gay teammate. 

Last week New Orleans Saint’s linebacker, Johnathan Vilma, stated that he might have a problem with a gay teammate changing next to him in the locker room. 

“Imagine if he’s the guy next to me and, you know, I get dressed, naked, taking a shower, the whole nine, and it just so happens he looks at me. How am I suppose to respond?”

Vilma later apologized for the poor example, but his comments do illustrate that there might be some resistance to accepting Sam into the locker room. 

The NFL now has to create an even more supportive environment that will accept any player that will help a team win. 

Michael Sam deserves everyone’s utmost respect. He has the chance to change the culture of not only sports, but society’s acceptance of gay individuals.