Michael Sam is now literally a hero. The rookie defensive end for the St. Louis Rams, who is gay, has inspired a former pro athlete to come out of the closet. Brad Thorson, who attended training camp in 2011 with the Arizona Cardinals, announced on Independence Day that he was gay. He says the highly controversial kiss Michael Sam shared with his boyfriend, Vito Cammisano, encouraged him to face his sexuality openly and honestly. He also credits NBA star Jason Collins, as well as Pennsylvania Congressman Brian K. Sims for inspiring him.
Thorson addressed his paradoxical views on sexuality and athletics in his blog on July 4. He said that he didn't fully allow himself to celebrate and integrate those two aspects of his life until, sadly, his football career was over (via Pink News):
"In his post, published on Independence Day, Thorson continued: 'If not for the strength of athletes like Jason Collins, Michael Sam, and Brian Sims, I would likely still be struggling with my own cognitive dissonance. Each of their stories reinforced the truth that there is nothing wrong with being a competitive athlete and gay.
"'Just as their stories helped me come to understand and accept myself, I've gotten to a point in my life where I hope to help someone else to understand his or her identity as a gay athlete.'"
Hopefully it's a good sign that the news cycle has laid off of Sam a little bit. Hopefully it's a sign of progress. But there was still a huge wave of criticism when he openly celebrated being drafted by kissing his partner (via Classicalite):
"When Sam was drafted it was a big deal. Not only because he's openly gay, but also because he kissed his partner on live television. And the cruel backlash that ensued showed how far we really need to go as a country."
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