Michael Sam makes NFL preseason debut for Rams against Saints
Michael Sam made his NFL preseason debut Friday night as the St. Louis Rams hosted the New Orleans Saints at the Edward Jones Dome.
Sam, seeking to become the first openly gay player in NFL history, entered Friday's game with 5:13 remaining in the first quarter. He got past Saints tackle Thomas Welch to put pressure on quarterback Luke McCown, who threw an interception on the play (the turnover was nullified by defensive holding).
Sam was credited with one quarterback pressure and one tackle in the first half, stopping Khiry Robinson for no gain on a running play in the second quarter. The Rams led the Saints 17-16 at halftime.
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The SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year at Missouri last season, Sam was the Rams' seventh-round draft pick in May. Saints coach Sean Payton said earlier this week he expected Sam to be well-received in his first NFL preseason game.
'We're in a business,' Payton said. 'We're in a league that is striving to win. I think the locker room welcomes all those who can help them do that. The history of our league has had players of every state, regardless of color and creed. I think the same thing would apply.
'... Once we get into the game, I think that we use this term, they're faceless opponents, we're blocking assignments, and we're playing against a team last year that finished strong and a team that gave us a good butt kicking in the regular season.'
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