Michael Sam’s jersey sales ranks 6th in NFL

Jun 17, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam (96) runs through drills during minicamp at Rams Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam (96) runs through drills during minicamp at Rams Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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One of the most powerful and important stories from this year’s NFL draft was when the St. Louis Rams selected Michael Sam with the 249th pick in the seventh and final round. The image of Sam receiving the phone call telling him he is about to be drafted will be forever etched in the minds of sports fans for years to come.

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As you likely know by now, Michael Sam is the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team, and the effects reach much farther than just the NFL.

Sam has given hope to thousands of gay youth to not hide behind who you truly are, and to be proud of what you are. Sam’s incredible accomplishment of being drafted struck a chord throughout the nation, and thousands of people purchased his jersey in support of Sam.

In fact, so many people bought Sam’s jersey that he actually cracked the top 10 in jersey sales since the NFL draft according to Darren Rovell of ESPN. Even more impressive is the fact that Sam is one of only two defensive players to have jersey sales in the top 10. The other defensive player is none other than NFL superstar Richard Sherman.

Michael Sam currently holds the 6th spot in jersey sales, while Sherman holds the 5th spot. The leader since the draft? None other than Johnny Football, Mr. Johnny Manziel.

While Sam certainly can be proud that his jersey sales are skyrocketing, he is focused on making the St. Louis Rams roster come training camp. Seventh round picks are no shoe-in to make the team, so Sam will have to work exceedingly hard if he hopes to be on the team come opening kickoff.