Introductory Press Conference
Michael Sam:

First off, guys, I wanted to thank Mr. Kroenke, Coach Fisher, and Mr. Snead for giving me this opportunity to play for the St. Louis Rams. I'm very grateful and very blessed to be apart of this organization and help this team to win a championship.

Jeff Fisher:

I'm gonna go back and give you some background. When our seasons are over, every team in the league gets together, identifies strengths and weaknesses, identifies needs as they push into free agency and into the draft. We did the same as everybody else, and I think it's widely known that one of the strengths of our football team is the defensive end position, and the defensive line as a whole. The defensive end position wasn't a big need of ours going into this year's draft, as compared to some of the other positions. So as a result, we did our work, we graded our players. We did what needed to be done, but we didn't identify any defensive ends or designated pass-rushers that we thought would be of interest early in the draft.

We had a private interview with Mike at the Combine. Coach Waufle met with him. We didn't have him in for a sixty visit. We didn't bring him to town, we didn't do a private workout, primarily because we didn't have a big need at the position. So as the draft moves along, as most people do when they select in the sixth or seventh round, they're picking players that have higher grades than the round in which they're picked in. They're picking value players. And when we got to our pick, or shortly before we got to our pick, Michael's value as a football player was off the charts. So we drafted Michael as a football player, and he has an opportunity now to come in and compete to try to make our football team.

Les Snead:

I'll follow up on Coach Fisher. Obviously, pick 249, we drafted him as a football player. All of us in the draft room were aware of the magnitude of the decision. We knew it would be a pivot in history. We started the maiden journey yesterday when Michael got here. What's interesting is, as Coach Fisher said before, on Kenny Washington being the first African American to get into the NFL post-WWII I believe, was signed by this organization. The nice thing when you Google "Kenny Washington" is forgotten hero. And what's nice about that is there's going to be a timeline here: Michael's the first. And somewhere in the future, guess what? He's just going to be a name and a dot that some kid in middle school's gotta memorize. We won't think it's anything special because it'll be normal, and that journey started yesterday. But the key that we wanted - you know, after this press conference is over, like Coach Fisher said, is we're going to get back to football. 'Cause that's what Michael - you know, he's been gifted some nice gifts to play football - and that's our goal.

Fisher:

We'll open it to questions.

Reporter:

Michael, has the gravity of what Les just said about being that person in history sunk in with you? Have you given any thought to that at all?
Sam:

No. All my focus has been playing and trying to make the team.

Reporter:

Michael, what's the message that you have for anyone that might be dealing with their own personal struggle, whatever it may be, and they're looking for the courage and the inspiration to just face it head-on?

Sam:

It's okay to be who you are. Whether you're gay, straight, black or white; it's okay to be comfortable in your own skin.

Reporter:

Michael, how anxious are you for it to get to just football, and do you think that'll ever totally be the case?

Sam:

Oh yeah, eventually it will. But I understand that right now, you guys want to make a big deal of it. But when this is over, then I can start doing that as fast as possible.

Reporter:

In the first part of this, you made a point of saying it wasn't a secret. What were you referring to when you said it wasn't a secret? I think it was asked of E.J., how the secret was kept.

Sam:
Yeah, 'cause people thought that when Mizzou didn't make a big deal out of it, because apparently everybody else makes a big deal out of it, but my teammates and my school didn't.

Reporter:

Can you just tell us a little bit about Hitchcock, and it seemed that you had a rather difficult path from there. How did you avoid some of the very difficult things that happened to your family?

Sam:

You know, adversity hits everyone. It depends on what you want to do with it. I wanted to get out, I wanted to do some great things. So I played sports, I got better at football, I got better at my grades. I went to college. I was the first person in my family to graduate, and now I'm the first person in my family to go to the NFL. So, I'm just going to keep on fighting. Keep fighting the good fight.

Reporter:

You've overcome a lot of adversity already, but you're facing a lot of tough competition on this team. Will you make the cut?

Sam:

Will I make the cut? You'll find out in a couple months, huh?

Reporter:

What is your thought of being the first gay athlete to play in the NFL?

Sam:

I guess it's great. I don't know what you want me to say. [laughs]
Reporter:

When the process was unfolding Saturday and you're still sitting there, and you haven't been taken by a team, how are you rationalizing or explaining things to yourself as you're waiting there? Or did you even go there?

Sam:

I was just - you know - praying, and had faith in God. I believed in my talents, and Mr. Kroenke, Coach Fisher, and Mr. Snead: they all believed in my talents, and here I am.

Reporter:

Have you had a one-on-one conversation with your father?

Sam:

No, I have not had a one-on-one conversation with my father.

Reporter:

I know in a lot of ways your being drafted and playing in the NFL is going to validate some things for a lot of people, that we can look past certain things here and there. But you've already had one NFL player disciplined for his comments on Twitter. I mean, you may very well hear things face-to-face or see things elsewhere - some comments from other players. How are you preparing yourself for that?

Sam:

When you see me - like I said earlier, I'm determined to be great. I'm determined to make this team, and I have every confidence in myself that I will make this team. So when I do make it, and when I put my pads on, and if somebody wants to say something, then you're going to see #96 running down that field and making big plays for this team.

Reporter:

Any significance to 96, or did it just work out that way?

Sam:

No. I wanted another number, clearly, but that number was taken.

Reporter:

The Combine was just two weeks after your announcement, and your workout wasn't the greatest. Was there a chance or possibility that you had a lot weighing on your mind? Do you think that was a factor?

Sam:

You know, the Combine was more for the interview. To make an NFL team - I made it, so I guess the Combine doesn't really matter anymore.

Reporter:

Now that you've been picked, did your sexuality affect where you went in the draft in your head?

Sam:

I have no idea. I know that by the seventh round, at pick 249, Michael Sam's name got called and here I am.

Reporter:

The pre-draft process is very taxing for every player -

Sam:

You have no idea.

Reporter:

How taxing was it for you, and is there anything you would do differently if you had to do it over?

Sam:

You know, I wouldn't do anything differently. I waited, and I waited, and I waited, and I said long ago that whoever picked me - whatever team that does pick me - they know about my sexuality, they know everything about my past, and that's the team I want to play for. Ironically, it's the St. Louis Rams. And actually, the St. Louis Rams, at my first college game, was at the Dome. So it's just ironic that I'm here.

Reporter:

I don't know if you were aware, but there was a post on the Mizzou Facebook page about a man who told the story of watching the draft with a lot of military people. The day after you were drafted, his son, who was 15 years old, started crying and told his father for the first time that he was gay. And the man said "thank you Mizzou, thank you Michael Sam, for being a role model". How do you feel about that, and do you feel that that can help?

Sam:

I'm honored that I helped someone to be comfortable with who they are and gave them a little courage to speak to his father. But you know, I'm very honored to have that happen to his son. But right now, I'm just looking forward to continue on my dream. And if it expires, you know, other people: hey, I'm with you. And if anyone's not okay with that, like I said earlier - if someone disowns you, hey - be apart of my family. I'll welcome you. Ram Up!

Reporter:

Hey Michael, welcome to St. Louis - first off. I just wanted to ask you, you seem like such a great ambassador for your community. I mean, where do you get the poise? I mean, all eyes have been on you for a long time now. That's a ton of pressure. So, where does that poise and strength come from?

Sam:

I've always had it. I've always had it. It's just me, this is Michael Sam. You get the real deal right now.

Reporter:

Would you mind just sharing with us an anecdote, a message, a story, a phone call that maybe you've received through this process that's really stayed with you? That's meant a lot to you?

Sam:

All of my friends, family - [pauses due to feedback from speakers] - who have just been supporting me and are very proud of me. I want to thank everyone. I want to thank the St. Louis organization, I want to especially thank my alma mater - my school, Mizzou - and I want to thank my friends and family in Hitchcock. I'm very grateful and I'm very glad to be apart of their lives.

Reporter:

Two part question. I'm just curious, number one, how you felt the locker room received you and what your nerves were, walking into a new situation like this?

Sam:

I had no nerves at all. They came to me, actually. They were like "hey, welcome to the family. Let's get to work". And that's what we're going to do.

Reporter:

I think you said in one of your press conferences the Rams had a lot of guts, or whatever word you used, by drafting you. What does it say to you about the Rams organization, to show the willingness to step up?

Sam:

They see good potential in people, and they're ready to win a championship. I hope I'll be apart of this team to help them win a championship.

Reporter:

You said earlier if somebody would say something nasty to you on the field, you'll make a play or you'll react that way. Has that happened to you in the past, on the field or in the locker room? How did you react, if it did?

Sam:

It has not happened. Clearly, it didn't happen last season, because no one knew. I use little things to motivate me, to make me a better player, and Thank God for you guys for making this all a big deal, because it's just going to make me even a better player than I am now.

Reporter:

Hey Coach Fish, can you talk to him about 15-yard penalties? They always catch the retaliator.

Fisher:

There's a thing called a bench behind us, so... yeah.

Sam:

Coach, I guarantee you: it'll just be making great plays. Especially sacks.

Reporter:

Michael, I'm not sure if you know, but Missouri people can be fired for their sexual orientation. What are your thoughts about that?

Sam:

I have no idea where you were, but - oh! [waves] Can you repeat the question please?

Reporter:

In Missouri, people can be fired for their sexual orientation. What are your thoughts?

Sam:

It's sad that they can be, but you know, I can't really do anything about that.

Reporter:

Michael, you were alluding to poise before. Is it true you were calling yourself "Ice Man" in grade school? What was that all about?

Sam:

That was a long time ago...

Snead:

This is where the past haunts you, right here.

Sam:

Yeah, that was a long time ago... that was just - I was just trying to be cool.

Reporter:

Did it work?

Sam:

It got me here.

Reporter:

For Kevin or Les: just curious what you guys have heard from people toward the organization over the last couple of days?

Kevin Demoff:

I think we have heard a lot of praise, a lot of excitement about the leadership and the step the we took. Certainly we have heard some negative as well - you’re going to get both throughout the process and I think that is something we knew, and we discussed on Saturday that this was going to come to be. But if you're going to take a leadership position by drafting Michael, then I think you have to expect the good and the bad, and we’re prepared for it. I think we’ll shine through it.

Reporter:

Michael, have athletes from other sports reached out to you since you got picked and the second part - would you be an advocate for gay marriage?

Sam:

You know, I would support all equality. It doesn’t have to be just about gay rights, but I mean anything. But right now I’m focused on football and I will always support equality, period. But my job right now is to focus on football, making this team, so we can help win championships.

Reporter:

And athletes from other sports?

Sam:

Athletes, everyone, all equality. Not just one thing

Reporter:

Have other athletes reached out to you?

Sam:

Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t really get that question. Can you repeat that for me? I’m sorry.

Reporter:

Have athletes from other sports reached out to you?

Sam:

Yes, they have.

Reporter:

Any examples of those who have reached out to you?

Sam:

No... I can’t really. I don’t want to bring them up. I misunderstood your question by the way.

Fisher: Couple more please!

Reporter:

Johnny Manziel got a two day head start on you, but as of the latest totals, you have the second largest selling jersey among the NFL draft class. Just your thoughts on that?

Sam:

That’s cool... that's cool.

Reporter:

You come off so tough, but what’s it like going out there and reading some of the comments on Twitter, and seeing some of the negativity? How do you handle that?

Sam:

You want to now how I handle it? I don’t read them.

Coach Fisher: Two more, guys.

Reporter:

Jeff, if - based on what you said earlier, if the pass rush was not perceived as a need or the defensive end was not perceived as a need, how does that really translate into Michael’s opportunity to stay here?

Fisher:

Well, you’re always looking to upgrade from a depth standpoint. Now I mean his skill set is unique... think we all agree to that. Anybody that watched him play sees special traits. Will have the capability provided that he’s able to get from point A which is right now, to Point B through camp. We’ll have the capability and potential to pack him up into different defensive packages. We’ve already discussed his importance to special teams and all those type of things, so you know the work is just getting started. Now I’m - as Les and Kevin told you - we are looking forward to being part of this journey. With that, I think we’ll end this press conference. Thank you for coming, we appreciate it very much. Thank you.