Michael Sam may never take the field in a game as a player in the National Football League. However, that doesn’t mean that he is going unnoticed. GQ magazine released a sneak peek of its 2014 Men (and Women) of the Year, and Sam will be on one of the six different covers.
After finishing college at the University of Missouri, Sam was expected to be a mid-to-late round draft pick. However, before the draft, Sam revealed in an interview with ESPN’s Outside the Lines, “I am an openly, proud gay man.”
The admission was revolutionary, there were no openly gay football players in the NFL. Sam was eventually drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 7th round of the 2014 draft, even sharing a kiss on television with his boyfriend after hearing the news.
A big thank you to @GQMagazine for including me among their #GQMOTY – I'm beyond honored to share their company!! pic.twitter.com/nw0gVXhYlb
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) November 17, 2014
However, Sam was cut by the Rams in August. Although the Dallas Cowboys signed the defensive end to the practice squad in September, he was released by the team in late October. He is currently a free agent and would be allowed to sign with another squad.
GQ revealed all six covers today. There will be a story on each person released every day this week. Joining Sam on the diverse list for Men (and Women) of the Year are: Guardians of the Galaxy movie star Chris Pratt, comedian Dave Chappelle, actor/comedian Steve Carell, and The Fault in Our Stars actors Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley.
Check out @GQMagazine's Men (and Women) of the Year covers: http://t.co/x0mxBt7t1T pic.twitter.com/XotFcaaxcg
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 17, 2014
It's that time of year again. Presenting your Men and Woman of the Year: http://t.co/yOcRn8Im2X #GQMOTY pic.twitter.com/zaj0CrsV96
— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) November 17, 2014
What do you think of the list? Did GQ miss a contender?