Michael Sam kisses his boyfriend as he collects GQ Man of the Year Award

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

The first openly gay player in the NFL was last night honoured with the GQ Man of the Year Award, and celebrated by kissing his boyfriend.

Michael Sam, who was earlier this year drafted to the St Louis Rams, was later cut, then picked by the Dallas Cowboys practice team, and dropped again, took home the honour at the West Hollywood ceremony last night.

When asked recently by TMZ why he thought he got cut Sam said: “I think I was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year last year … so I don’t think it had to do with talent.”

Then when some assumed that meant he was cut because he came out as gay, he took to Twitter to clarify, saying: “Despite what headlines you may read, I’ve never said and have never believed that I am being kept out of the league.

“I know I have talent to play in the NFL and I look forward to getting an opportunity once again to prove that I can help a team win.”

He attended the GQ awards with his boyfriend Vito Cammisano.

Others honoured at the awards were Chris Pratt, Steve Carell, Dave Chappelle, Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley.