ST. LOUIS (AP) _ Michael Sam dismissed the thought that his sexuality has cost him a spot in the NFL.

ST. LOUIS –  The head of an advocacy group seeking equality for gay and lesbian athletes is working with the St. Louis Rams to help ease Michael Sam's transition to the NFL.

Tampa – For the first time in the NFL’s history, teams are finally reaching out, specifically, to the LGBT community. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among those teams involved and will host an LGBT Community Gameday on Sunday, Sept. 14.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings and former punter Chris Kluwe said Tuesday they reached a settlement averting a lawsuit over Kluwe's claim that the team wrongfully released him last year because of his outspoken support for same-sex marriage rights.

(CNN) -- Former Minnesota Viking and outspoken same-sex marriage supporter Chris Kluwe said Monday he is encouraged the NFL team is looking into his claims that he was released in May because he is an LGBT activist.

IRVING, Texas –  The Dallas Cowboys released defensive end Michael Sam from the practice squad Tuesday, another setback as the NFL’s first openly gay player tries to make an active roster during the regular season for the first time.

TMZ Sports spotted out football player Michael Sam this week at LAX airport and found out that the groundbreaking athlete may believe that he's not part of the National Football League because he's gay and not because of his skills.

Sports broadcaster and former running back for the New England Patriots Craig James is not happy that a number of NFL teams, including Super Bowl XLIX champions, have signed a brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to make same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states. According to Right Wing Watch, the athlete spoke with Tony Perkins, president of the anti-gay Family Research Council, on his "Washington Watch" radio show Friday and claimed that all this LGBT support was the work of the Devil himself.

Here is a collection of on-going weekly articles by John McDonald highlighting the presidential candidates for 2016.

This week read about an athlete hoping to become the first openly LGBT NFL player, the star of "Umbrella Academy" coming out as trans, and a rock star speaking about her fight against cancer.

Esera Tuaolo made a surprising comeback this week, returning to the national stage for a blind audition on the hit television series “The Voice.”

ORLANDO, Fla. — Former NFL player Wade Davis' speech to the owners, coaches and general managers delivered a significant message about sexual orientation in sports, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Once Michael Sam is drafted in the NFL, the Missouri defensive end will be judged strictly on whether he can play and whether he can help his team win.

Will Katy Perry be a firework at the Super Bowl? Will she show them what she's worth? Will she let her colors burst?

MINNEAPOLIS -- Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe says the team has reneged on a promise to give him a copy of their investigation into his allegations of anti-gay conduct by a coach.

INDIANAPOLIS — This could be as good a time as there has ever been for an openly gay player in the NFL. The league will be watching.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Michael Sam waited a while longer to get back on the field in his second preseason game.

Michael Sam certainly draws a crowd.

Scouts from more than 30 NFL teams, fans and media packed Missouri’s training facilities Thursday to watch the former Tigers defensive end and 14 of his former teammates at the school’s annual pro day.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Years before Michael Sam was born, gay-rights activists Kate Kendell and Paul Guequierre were already die-hard National Football League fans.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The uniform of Michael Sam, the league's first openly gay player, is the No. 2 seller from the NFL draft, according to NFLShop.com.

(CNN) It's a first for the NFL.

NFL teams are making rainbow strides.

(CNN) -- President Barack Obama congratulated Michael Sam on Saturday for being the first openly gay football player taken in the National Football League draft, the White House said in a statement.

Sunday night, Missouri defensive end Michael Sam announced that he is gay.

This is not an editorial about sports, though it is about a football player.

(AP) The first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team is heading to Massachusetts to talk about his life.

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings could hardly hold training camp without some kind of controversy or sideshow.

Earth City, Mo. – Michael Sam has once again made history and is now the first-ever openly gay player in the NFL. The University of Missouri-Columbia MVP was drafted in May by the St. Louis Rams and was signed June 12, along with the entire 2014 draft class.

Michael Sam, who came out as gay earlier this year, was drafted in the seventh and final round of the NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, making him the first openly gay player in the league. (May 11)