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Anchor>> Local college athletes will be watching this year's NFL draft closely - following
an announcement from Michael Sam - that he's gay.
13WHAM's Rachel Glaser went to two campuses to find out what students are saying.
Spalick>> Football is still football, talent is talent.
Reporter>> The game itself won't change--- but captain of the brockport football team,
Jake Spalik says - Michael Sam has made history. Apperson>> You can be gay or straight as an
athlete and no one is going to say anything or care. It is different here.
Reporter>> Mallory Apperson , a Senior on the basketball team at RIT says she is proud
to see the athletic world embrace the gay community.
Sam>> I am a gay man. Reporter>> Sam - the All American lineman
from the University of Missouri - came out to his coaches and teammates in August - before
last season even started. He came out to the world - over the weekend.
Apperson>> I think it took a lot of guts and honestly I think it's the best way he could
have done it. Spalick>> It just shows that he's ready to
come out, he's ready to be himself and he's not hiding anything and I think that's what
he wants, to go into the NFL knowing who he is, having no distractions.
Reporter>> Spalik says it's a personal move that could impact his professional career-
some analysts expect Sam's draft stock to drop.
Apperson>> He is not even professional yet and there really hasn't been any professional
football players to come out during their career.
Reporter>> Weeks away from the draft in may-- athletes say Sam's decision to come out now,
is bigger than the NFL Apperson>> This is athletic world and from
professional athletes all the way down to kids who are in high school playing right
now - it is going to be big. Spalick>> I think now guys are going to see
this and think maybe it's okay if I come out, maybe my teammates will support me.
Reporter>> Rachel Glaser, Good Day Rochester. Anchor>> While sam has seen a lot of support—
many have said a person's sexuality has nothing to do with sports and that they look forward
to the day that athletes can come out and it doesn't make headlines.