The reactions keep pouring in following Missouri defensive end Michael Sam's admission of homosexuality, and the latest person to chime in is his former Mizzou quarterback James Franklin.
Michael Sam said that he came out to his teammates in August before the season started and experienced no problems with his fellow Tigers accepting his lifestyle. Franklin has now come out as saying he does not support homosexuality, however he was accepting of his teammate.
"I don't drink. I don't curse. I don't support [homosexuality] - but it doesn't mean I don't accept Michael," Franklin said. "I wouldn't say supportive, but accepting. A lot of people confuse supporting and accepting.
"Michael respected us. He didn't make us feel uncomfortable in the locker room," Franklin added. "He can be whoever he wants to be. I'll be there for him no matter what."
Sam doesn't figure to worry about negative comments from anyone, as he told Outside the Lines that his upbringing toughened him up.
"I endured so much in my past: seeing my older brother killed from a gunshot wound, not knowing that my oldest sister died when she was a baby and I never got the chance to meet her. My second oldest brother went missing in 1998, and me and my little sister were the last ones to see him ... my other two brothers have been in and out of jail since 8th grade, currently both in jail.
"Telling the world I'm gay is nothing compared to that."
While his former teammate may not support Sam, the NFL released a statement indicating they are supportive of the first ever openly gay prospect.
"We admire Michael Sam's honesty and courage," NFL senior vice president of communications Greg Aiello said in the statement. "Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014."
He is projected to be a third or fourth round draft pick. He was the 2013 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and recorded 48 tackles, 19 of them for loss, along with 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
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