I just want to make sure I could tell my story the way I want to tell it. I just want to own my truth.

I'm not afraid of who I am. I'm not afraid to tell the world who I am. I'm Michael Sam, I'm a college graduate, I'm African-American and I'm gay.

It has all happened so quickly, but it's exciting, I just wanna get back to playing football you know.

Thank God he wasn't the St. Louis Rams' coach. I have a lot of respect for Coach Dungy and like everyone in America, everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

The most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy, this is a lesson I've always known. The journey continues.

I'm Michael Sam, I'm a football player, and I'm gay.

To anyone out there especially young people feeling like they don't fit in and will never be accepted, please know this, great things can happen when you have the courage to be yourself.