Advocate for gay athletes spent day with Rams coaches, players to ease Michael Sam transition

FILE - In this May 13, 2014 file photo, St. Louis Rams seventh-round draft pick Michael Sam, right, speaks during a news conference as head coach Jeff Fisher listens at the NFL football team's practice facility in St. Louis. The head of an advocacy group for gay and lesbian athletes helped the Rams prepare for the arrival of Sam. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) (The Associated Press)

St. Louis Rams seventh-round draft pick Michael Sam, right, shakes hands with coach Jeff Fisher during a news conference at the NFL football team's practice facility Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

ST. LOUIS – The head of an advocacy group seeking equality for gay and lesbian athletes is working with the St. Louis Rams to help ease Michael Sam's transition to the NFL.

Wade Davis is executive director of the You Can Play Project. He says he has been advising the NFL on diversity matters for the last year. Davis says Rams coach Jeff Fisher reached out to him after the team picked Sam in the seventh round on Saturday.

Sam is the first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team.

Davis says he spent all day with the Rams on Monday, And an NFL spokesman says the league has been working with teams and players "on ensuring a respectful culture."