More Gay Players in the NFL? Michael Sam Tells Oprah He Is 'Not the Only One'

In an interview with famous talk show host and icon Oprah Winfrey, first openly gay player Michael Sam revealed that he is not the only homosexual pro football player.

During a documentary aired on Saturday night at the Oprah Winfrey Network, Sam claimed that some athletes in the league are just not confident to come out, Reuters noted.

"There's a lot of us out there. I'm not the only one. I'm just the only one who's open," Sam said during the interview as he expressed surprise that there were a lot of players who were not inspired by his brave coming out earlier this year.

He, however noted that some gay players thanked him in private for what he did and said that they wished they could also do the same.

"They need to come out whenever they feel comfortable for them to come out," Sam was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Sam has also explained that he does not blame his coming out as the reason for him losing his chance to play in the NFL.

In a similar report, The Guardian said that Sam told Oprah he did not "like to think that way."

"But I do believe I'm a very talented football player and I'm going to continue working hard and try to get that opportunity to play in the league," he added.

The still hopeful and positive Sam said he did everything he was supposed to do.

"I did everything right. I am proud of how I handled things," he was quoted by The Guardian as saying.

According to Reuters, Sam was hailed as the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player in 2013, the same year he graduated from from the University of Missouri.

Prior to being drafted in the NFL, Sam told the entire world that he was gay and sparked a lot of discussions not only in the league but also in the entire sports industry.

Reuters said that Sam was luckily picked at the end part of the NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams but he was cut by the team last August then chosen by the Dallas Cowboys to be part of their practice team.

He told Oprah that not being part of the Rams was not something he held against the team.

"There was nothing I could do. The roster was full already and I had to go," he added.

Aside from these topics, Sam also shared about his troubled childhood. He claimed that his two brothers abused and bullied him daily. Despite all his controversial revelations, Sam remains confident that opportunities will soon open for his career. "I believe good things are on the horizon," he said.