Michael Sam has become the first openly gay player in the NFL as he was last night drafted by the St. Louis rams. Sam's emotional reaction was broadcast on ESPN.

Sam, who was voted the Defensive Player of the Year in his college conference in 2013, declared that he was gay in February and many speculated that the announcement could hinder his prospects of making it into the professional game.

Following his announcement Sam told ESPN: "I came to tell the world I'm an openly gay man.

"If I work hard, if I make plays - that's all that should matter."

Sam also predicted he would not be the last American football player to publicly announce he is gay: "I probably may be the first but I won't be the last. And I think only good things will come from this.”