The St. Louis Rams selected Michael Sam with the 249th pick of the 2014 NFL Draft on Saturday evening, making him the first openly gay player to be selected in the draft.
Jeff Fisher comments on Rams drafting Michael Sam
Sam joins one of the NFL’s best defensive lines in St. Louis.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Rams coach Jeff Fisher had this to say of the draft pick:
”We were very fortunate to have the supplemental choices. We felt you use those for players that you want to give an opportunity to that you want to draft. I haven’t said a whole lot to anybody over the last week or so but after doing the studies, he’s a good football player. And we got a good football player right after him. I’m excited about our draft, excited about the production and excited about possibly adding him to our defensive front.
I don’t have any concern whatsoever. I think you’ve known me long enough. We drafted a good football player. I’m excited to get him on the practice field and get him going. Yeah, there’s going to be a little extra attention for a couple days but Michael is the co-SEC defensive player of the year, so that’s important to us. We’re looking forward to this opportunity. We have a young, we have a very mature team and we’re certainly not going to let any distraction affect this football team.”
Fisher also went on ESPN and said, “In a world of diversity that we live in, I’m honored to be a part of this.”
Many felt the Rams were a good landing spot for Sam, who was the SEC’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year last season with the Missouri Tigers. The Rams are owned by Stan Kroenke, who lives in Columbia, Mo., and has strong ties to the university. Sam also fits well into St. Louis’ 4-3 scheme, where he should compete for snaps in training camp.
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