It’s not often that a late seventh-round draft pick has the second-most popular jersey among all NFL rookies. Then again, Michael Sam isn’t an ordinary rookie.
The NFL released its top-five list of orders for rookie jerseys to Outsports.com on Monday, and the jersey of St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam came in at No. 2, behind only Cleveland Browns first-round pick Johnny Manziel.
Sam was selected by the Rams with the 249th overall pick in 2014 NFL draft, becoming the first openly gay player ever to be selected.
Rounding out the top five were the jerseys of Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles — all first-round picks.
“This is unprecedented for a Day 3 pick, let alone a seventh-round pick, to crack the top five rookies sold following draft weekend,” NFL spokesperson Joanna Hunter said, via Outsports.com.
What makes Sam’s ranking even more impressive is the fact that his jersey wasn’t available for order until Saturday night, while the jerseys of the other four draft stars have been available since Thursday.
Photo via Twitter/@outsports
