Michael Sam the defensive end, who made history after being drafted by the St. Louis Rams earlier this year and as NFL’s first openly gay player, tried to hold back tears as he quoted the late tennis star Arthur Ashe: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Sam gave an emotional speech as he accepted Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2014 ESPY Awards.
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is named in honor of the first black player on the U.S. Davis Cup team and the only black man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open. A civil rights activist, Ashe was arrested several times for protesting the treatment of Haitian refugees and apartheid in South Africa.
“This year I had a lot of experience being part of something bigger than myself,” Sam said. “At times, I’ve felt like I’ve been living in a massive storm, without knowing when the storm will end. But I’m here tonight to tell you that the lessons I learned about LOVE, respect, being true to yourself will never leave me…”
Sam shared an experience with the crowd where he spoke to a friend’s sister who was considering ending her life rather than accepting she was gay. Sam’s words inspired her to be proud of all the things that made her unique.
“The way I see it, my responsibility at this moment in history is to stand up for everyone out there who wants nothing more than to be themselves openly,” The St. Louis Rams defensive lineman told the crowd. “It’s amazing to think that by doing what we can, we can all touch, change and even save lives.”
Sam thanked his friends and family for supporting him during what he called a “storm” that would eventually pass. Sam also took a moment to thank his boyfriend Vito Cammisano, who he claimed is his biggest inspiration.
“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.”
