Mike McCarthy has insisted that the Green Bay Packers would not be put off drafting Michael Sam because he is gay.
Several team executives have revealed that they would be hesitant to sign the defensive end after he came out at the weekend.
However, the Packers' head coach told the Green Bay Press-Gazette: "I think you definitely have to feel he's a courageous young man but my understanding is he's a talented young player.
"We always from day one talked about our program, about our culture. Ted [Thompson, the team's general manager] is going through Draft process right now and at the end of the day, it comes down to good football players.
"Any player who can come here and be a good teammate and follow the rules of our program, which is one be respectful and produce on the football field, we have room for that guy."
Sam is the SEC defensive player of the year and has been projected to be a mid or late-round pick in May's Draft.
Sian Cowper
