ST. LOUIS -- The overflow crowd at Rams Park did not intimidate Michael Sam. He seemed almost eager for the attention and scrutiny. The first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team was confident and engaged Tuesday as he was formally introduced by the St. Louis Rams, handling questions and scrutiny with aplomb well beyond that of a typical seventh-round pick. "Im determined to be great," Sam said. "I understand that right now you guys want to make a big deal of it." Sam put his arm around coach Jeff Fisher after sharing the podium with other late-round picks. He joked that hed never before heard the term "tweener" and even rose in his chair in mock intimidation of fellow Missouri draftee E.J. Gaines, a sixth-rounder whod been asked what the SEC co-defensive player of the year was like as a teammate. Sam, who came out to teammates and coaches before his senior season at Missouri, disagreed that his sexuality had been a secret. "Apparently, everybody else makes a big deal out of it," Sam said. "But my teammates and my school didnt." "Its OK to be who you are," he added. "Whether youre gay, straight, black or white, its OK to be comfortable in your own skin." After getting the go-ahead from owner Stan Kroenke and making the pick Saturday, Fisher called it a "second historic moment" for a franchise that signed running back Kenny Washington in 1946 as the NFLs first black player in the modern era. Just as in his post-draft teleconference with St. Louis media that was sprinkled with salty language, Sam was feisty. Hes had a few months to get accustomed to the role of trailblazer instead of a silent star. Sure, hes a role model. Right now hed much rather be the Rams description of "designated pass rusher." "I will always support equality, period," Sam said. "But my job is to focus on football and help this team win a championship." The appearance of perhaps the most famous seventh-round pick in NFL history attracted a massive amount of people. A half-dozen TV trucks lined a crammed parking lot at Rams Park, an hour before the teams two first-round picks were due at the podium. About 80 media members attended the news conferences. Three days earlier when the Rams chose Sam with the No. 249 overall pick, the media contingent was in single digits. "Theres some energy here," general manager Les Snead said with a smile between rounds of interviews. "But I dont think this is a circus. This deserves attention, but well get it over and well get to work." Sam shared the dais with five other players taken in the sixth and seventh rounds Saturday as the draft came to a close. Snead joked that Tennessee State centre Demetrius Rhaney, taken one pick after Sam at 250th overall, should get the first question after it got lost in the hubbub Saturday. "Im not sure anybody knows we drafted Demetrius," Snead said, adding that he hoped someday that pick 249 will someday be a footnote in sports history, and not such a big deal. For Sams subsequent solo session with reporters, he was flanked by Fisher and Snead, with Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff joining the group. Everyone seemed eager to embrace Sam. Second-round pick Lamarcus Joyner, a cornerback from Florida State, has never had an openly gay teammate. He applauded Sams decision. "Hes a courageous young man," Joyner said. "Hes a brave young man that we need in this organization." The teams two first-round picks were first to the podium. Offensive tackle Greg Robinson, chosen second overall, sported a bow tie. Both got their due. Both welcomed Sam to the family. Robinson and Sam did a TV commercial together for a credit card company. Aaron Donald met Sam at ceremonies for the Lombardi and Nagurski awards. "Hes a cool guy," Donald said. "Hes a football player, he works his butt off and thats what you want. You want playmakers around you and hes a playmaker. Third-round pick Tre Mason, a running back from Auburn, said Sam was a "man of his own and hes entitled to do that." "Were a team and hes also a family member to me now." Sam will put on the pads later in the week when the team holds a three-day rookie orientation, much, if not all of it, closed to the media. The Rams drafted Sam even though they didnt need help at defensive end, where they have a pair of first-round picks as starters. Robert Quinn was second in the NFL with 19 sacks last season and Chris Long has been a standout since getting chosen second overall in 2008. But the Rams were well-stocked with picks, finishing with 11 selections, putting them in unique position to make history. "Shortly before we got to our pick, Michaels value as a football player was off the charts," Fisher said. "He has an opportunity now to come in and compete to try to make our team." Sam realizes its up to him to make the most of this chance, and he bristles at the naysayers who contend hes in the NFL only because he came out. "Will I make the cut?" he said, repeating a question. "You want to find out in a couple months, huh?" Air Max 95 Cheap Authentic . The Brad Jacobs team from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., advanced to Fridays championship game with a 10-6 win over Chinas Rui Liu in the semifinal. Air Max 95 Clearance Canada . The top-ranked Spaniard won his fourth Madrid Open on Sunday after Kei Nishikori was forced to withdraw with a hip injury when trailing 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 in the final. And Nadal, who is coming off to uncharacteristic quarterfinal losses on clay, said his mental strength is still lacking just two weeks ahead of the French Open. http://www.airmax95canada.com/. - Jayden Hart scored once and set up two more as the Prince Albert Raiders downed the host Red Deer Rebels 5-3 on Tuesday to clinch the final Western Hockey League playoff berth. Cheap Wholesale Air Max 95 . The 21-year-old Canadian earned a spot in his third career ATP final on Saturday thanks to his first Top 10 victory of the new tennis season, a 6-4, 6-4 win over world no. 10 Nicolas Almagro of Spain. Cheap Air Max 95 Canada . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014.Its MLS Rivalry Week, but what does that mean? This week pits together the fiercest rivals in the league, meaning high-profile matches consisting of old, bitter feuds and new-found competitors.Rivalry Week began three years ago at the start of the 2014 season as a way of bringing some of the leagues best players and fans together. This season there are two Rivalry Weeks. The first games take place on the weekend of May 20-22 and the others on August 26-28.The first pits together cross-city rivals New York City FC and New York Red Bulls in just their fourth derby match since New York City launched in 2015. It is sure to make for another hostile atmosphere at Yankee Stadium for the Hudson River Derby.The New York Red Bulls currently lead the head-to-head record, having won all three of the derbies so far.New York Red Bulls midfielder Lloyd Sam told Sky Sports in March about his enjoyment of playing in the derby.In New York, the excitement when the two teams play is one of the main things that is different [in the city] since theyve come in, he said.The stadiums are full and theres a lot of excitement in the air when we play.The first game of Rivalry Week is on Friday as Philadelphia Union take on DC United. Although not an official rivalry, there has been plenty of spice between the two teams over the years along the I-95 corridor. Sebastian Giovinco has eight goals and five assists in MLS in 2016 The Trillium Cup between Toronto FC and Columbus Crew SC should make for an intriguing encounter on Saturday night.Although Toronto have won six of the cups between the two clubs compared to the Crews two, Columbus are in desperate need of points as they look to re-energise their season. Expect to see the likes of Sebastian Giovinco and USA international Michael Bradley in action.The Cascadia derby between Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps takes place on Sunday evening. Alongside Seattle Sounders, the three clubs aree part of a mini-league originally created by fans of all the clubs with the incentive being bragging rights alongside league points.ddddddddddddhe team with the most points by the end of the season gets to lift the cup. Seattle Sounders are the current holders from last year. Steven Gerrards second goal of the season came in LA Galaxys 4-2 win on May 8 This season, the Whitecaps are currently top, but Portland will look to even the score in the MLS-era rivalry by taking hold of their second cup this year.And in the final game of the weekend, One of the oldest rivalries in the league comes to the forefront as Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and Co from LA Galaxy take on their rivals San Jose Earthquakes in what is known as the California Clasico. Gerrard scored his first-ever goal in MLS when he faced the Earthquakes on July 17, curling a shot past goalkeeper David Bingham to open up his account Stateside. Also See: MLS: New York City move top MLS: Vieiras City on the march MLS: Drogba on target again DC United beat Red Bulls ' ' '