On Saturday, Michael Sam, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive end, was selected by the St. Louis Rams with the 34th pick in the final round of the NFL draft.
ESPN showed the highly emotional moment Sam received the call from the Rams.
View this video on YouTube
Patrick Burke, of the You Can Play Project, noted another significant moment on the ESPN broadcast.
Just watched an interracial gay couple kiss to celebrate one of them being drafted into the NFL. Happy 2014, sports.
Sam was quick to show his joy and appreciation on Twitter.
Thank you to the St. Louis Rams and the whole city of St. Louis. I'm using every once of this to achieve greatness!!
Wow.What a day. On cloud 9. So proud and happy! #stl #rams #draft @MikeSamFootball
Michael Sam came out in February, with the guidance of out gay former NFL player Wade Davis.
I want to thank everybody for their support and encouragement,especially @espn, @nytimes and @nfl. I am proud to tell my story to the world!
He was once considered to be a second- or third-round pick, but dropped in projections after a sub-par performance at the NFL Combine and the announcement of his sexual orientation.
We congratulate Michael Sam and the St. Louis Rams on their terrific decision to draft him. Today, LGBT young people can look to Sam as proof that being open and proud of who you are doesn't keep you from achieving your dreams. Gay people are our neighbors and friends. They're our United States Senators and, starting today, they're our professional football stars.
Friends and supporters were also quick to speak out in favor of the Rams.
My friend and ex coach Jeff Fisher drafts my friend @MikeSamFootball --- Mike gets to stay in MO. @STLouisRams are Americas new fave team!
St. Louis Rams select @MikeSamFootball. Congrats to both the franchise and the player.
Trying not to cry as I send Michael his congrats text. Y'all just witnessed history. Now, time to buy a Ram's jersey.
I'm getting ready for my game against the @MiamiHEAT, but I wanted to say congrats to @MikeSamFootball & @STLouisRams. Great pick. Good luck
The St. Louis Rams are now my second-favorite NFL team. :-)
Earlier this week, Sam received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
"Let's go get Michael Sam"
According to an account published on NFL.com, the St. Louis Rams were holding two of the last eight picks in the seventh and final round of the draft Saturday and "Rams coach Jeff Fisher turned to general manager Les Snead and team president Kevin Demoff and said, 'Let's go get Michael Sam.'"
"We're in an age of diversity. Players understand that, they know that," Fisher said later on Saturday. "People will try to make it a distraction but it's not a distraction."