Gists: PHOTO: 'I Am Gay' - Football Player Reveals

23 year old college football defensive lineman Michael Sam has announced that he's gay.

During an interview with ESPN yesterday Sunday Feb. 9th, Sam said "I'm Michael Sam. I'm a football player and I'm gay. I just want to own my truth before anyone breaks a story about me."

With this admission, if he's drafted into the NFL (which most believe he will), he'll become the first openly homosexual in the NFL.

Sam said his college teammates in Missouri know about his sexuality and support him 100% and was hoping he would get the same acceptance from the NFL.

The NFL has however responded to his public declaration about his sexuality:

'We admire Michael Sam's honesty and courage,' the NFL said in a statement. 'Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014.'