National Football League (NFL) hopeful Michael Sam is reportedly sparking interest among a number of teams as draft day approaches, The Baltimore Sun reports.
The Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens have been looking at the former University of Missouri defensive end, who was the Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year, the report notes.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome thinks Sam is a good player but expressed concern over how the media will handle the potential presence of the first openly gay (non-retired) NFL player in history. Newsome says it’s new territory for all concerned but feels the Ravens’ locker room has a history of adapting to change. The team’s head coach, John Harbaugh, feels the Ravens would welcome Sam, saying, “We’re really good at helping players, any player, become a part of our team,” the Sun reports.
The NFL draft kicks off May 8.