The agent of Michael Sam has expressed his belief that the Missouri Tigers defensive end would benefit from a move to the San Diego Chargers in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Sam is likely to draw widespread media attention in the build-up to May's event having publicly come out on Sunday, meaning that he would become the first openly gay player in NFL history if chosen.
The Chargers picked linebacker Manti Te'o in the second round of last year's Draft, helping the former Notre Dame star settle after gaining national notoriety when his alleged girlfriend's death was discovered to be an online hoax.
Agent Joe Barkett believes that the team will be able to help Sam deal with the attention in a similar way, as well as pointing out that it would leave him close to his Los Angeles-based agency.
"I think the Chargers would be a great fit for [Sam], especially considering the way that they handled the Manti Te'o issue," Barkett told the U-T San Diego.
"It seemed to blow over very easily once the first game had happened. I think that'd be a great spot for [Sam] to land, and he'd be close to us."
Sam is predicted to be chosen between the third and fifth rounds of this year's Draft.
Barney Corkhill
