Michael Sam Receives Upstander Award At 2015 HRC Time To THRIVE Conference

Michael Sam accepts the Upstander Award at the HRC Time To THRIVE Conference

At the 2015 Time To THRIVE Conference in Portland, Oregon, out professional football player Michael Sam received the Upstander Award for his inspiration to LGBT youth around the world.

The conference promotes inclusion and well-being for LGBT youth.

Excerpts from his inspiring speech:

On growing up poor, with no family support emotionally:

"I grew up poor, I grew up afraid, I grew up alone. There was 8 members of my family. Out of 8 only 5 are still living. Two are currently in prison, the other two are working class Americans. I grew up afraid because the people I was supposed to love supposed to have my back, supposed to tell me that it's ok I'm here for you - I didn't have that. I grew up alone. The people who were supposed to be there for me weren't. I looked to football and sports to be my sanctuary."

On having no regrets on coming out before the NFL draft:

"I didn't want to be ashamed of myself when I come home and I see Vito and look him in the face and lie to myself - and I was like 'Vito I'm gay to you but only in closed doors but I'm not gay to the world'. I manned up and a couple days ago we celebrated my first anniversary of me being comfortable with who I am and I'm proud of myself. I have no regrets."

Watch the full speech below.

(h/t Towleroad)