Michael Sam Gay: Football Player Writes Heartfelt Letter To His College After Receiving 'Love & Acceptance?' [VIDEO]
University of Missouri football player Michael Sam wrote a letter to his school that showed how thankful he was for the support he received after coming out in February.
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The letter, which was published in The Missourian on Thursday, reveals Sam's gratitude toward his teammates and peers, who have been supportive.
"From my first recruiting trip to the University of Missouri, I felt something extraordinary and special - something I didn't feel anyplace else. I didn't have a name for it then; I do now. It's called family. And to me that family is defined by unconditional love," the letter reads.
Sam then writes about his struggles and how difficult it was for him to make his sexual orientation public.
"Certainly you cheered my successes, but you also picked me up when I fell," Sam wrote. "Maybe most importantly, you gave me a chance to live my truth without judgment, without hesitation and with great discretion and respect. When I came out last month, I did it with the confidence that my Mizzou "family" would always be there for me."
The football player also detailed specific moments and events in the letter where he felt the most support as well.
"The day after the announcement, my name was spelled out in the stadium; fraternities hung #StandWithSam banners; then when I went to the basketball game to honor the football team's Cotton Bowl victory, I worked hard not to cry because of the amazing reception," Sam wrote.
He ended the letter by announcing that he will work hard to make everyone proud. The full letter can be seen here.
Sam also received support from a group of students who came to his defense when the Westboro Baptists Church reportedly showed up to his school's basketball game to heckle him, according to Bleacher Report.
