Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam (52) warms up before the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas.Former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam’s decision to declare publicly that he’s gay was met with support Monday from within the Southeastern Conference.
“Obviously we’ve got the freedom of choice, and obviously he feels good about who he is,” Arkansas basketball coach Mike Anderson said on the league’s weekly teleconference. “That’s the most important thing. He came out and openly admitted it, and I’m sure he feels a lot better about himself and who he is.”
Sam led the SEC in sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (19) for a Tigers team that capped a 12-2 season with a win over Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. Missouri won the SEC East in just its second season in the league but lost the conference championship game 59-42 to Auburn.
In multiple interviews that were published Sunday by outlets such as ESPN and the New York Times, Sam said he informed Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel, the assistant coaches and his teammates during August camp.
“It takes a lot of courage for that young man to do what he’s done,” Missouri basketball coach Frank Haith said, “and I’m very proud of him. I’m very proud of our university. My head is held high this this morning, and it’s kind of a footprint of how to handle the situation.