The news broke last night and quickly spread like wildfire. As the majority of the sporting world was focused on the Sochi Olympics, standout Missouri Defensive End Michael Sam came out as gay. His announcement is notably on several levels. Sam is officially the first active Division 1 football player to come out as gay. He also is trying to become an every down player in the NFL. No one in NFL history has played as an openly gay man.

ESPN's TV program Outside the Lines and The New York Times broke the story. In addition to both of those media outlets Outsports interviewed the upstanding young man as well in an uplifting piece titled "The Eagle Has Landed." Each of these three outlets had multiple meetings with Sam over the past few months. The stories these three outlets ran last night were reflective of the type of person and player Michael Sam is: a hard worker, a leader, and a gamer.

Sam's coming out didn't shock his Mizzou teammates. They knew for the entire 2013 college football season. No one became weird, homophobic or even evangelical towards him. The only time they tried to change Michael Sam was when they elected him team captain. The Mizzou response was stereotype shattering... Take note, Jonathan Vilma.

Unsurprisingly, praise for Sam's announcement has been mostly positive. GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis released one of many supportive statements.

"By rewriting the script for countless young athletes, Michael has demonstrated the leadership that, along with his impressive skills on the field, makes him a natural fit for the NFL," Ellis said in a statement. "With acceptance of LGBT people rising across our coasts -- in our schools, churches, and workplaces -- it's clear that America is ready for an openly gay football star."

The NFL brass also has his back.

"We admire Michael Sam's honesty and courage," the NFL wrote in statement on Sunday night. "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."

All the publications, organizations, and people that have supported Sam deserve a pat on the back. But no one deserves more credit and adulation than the All-American Defensive End himself.

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