Obama: Michael Sam joining the NFL is an important step forward in our Nation’s journey
Barack Obama has sent a message to Michael Sam, congratulating him on making history by being drafted to the St Louis Rams.
Sam made history last night as the first openly gay player to be drafted to the NFL, joining the Rams in the seventh draft.
He burst into tears when he heard the news, before embracing and kissing his boyfriend on live TV.
The message from Obama said: “The President congratulates Michael Sam, the Rams and the NFL for taking an important step forward today in our Nation’s journey.
“From the playing field to the corporate boardroom, LGBT Americans prove everyday that you should be judged by what you do and not who you are.”
Obama has recently been under pressure to sign an executive order to ban workplace discrimination, as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is being stalled by Republicans in Congress.
Vice President broke ranks with Obama on the issue last week, saying there was “no downside” to an executive order, despite White House press spokesman Jay Carney describing it as “redundant” previously.
Watch the moment Sam found out he had been drafted below:
