Missouri Tigers defensive end Michael Sam has admitted that he was "scared" when he came out to his college teammates in August.

Sam publicly announced that he was gay on Sunday, meaning that he could become the first openly gay player in NFL history if he is chosen in the Draft this May.

"I didn't realize how many people actually knew, and I was afraid that someone would tell or leak something out about me. I want to own my truth. No-one else should tell my story but me," Sam told ESPN.

"Coaches just wanted to know a little about ourselves, our majors, where we're from, and something that no-one knows about you, and I used that opportunity just to tell them that I was gay. And their reaction was like, 'Michael Sam finally told us.'

"I was kind of scared, even though they already knew. Just to see their reaction was awesome. They supported me from day one. I couldn't have better teammates. I'm telling you what: I wouldn't have the strength to do this today if I didn't know how much support they'd given me this past semester."

Sam was named the Associated Press' SEC Defensive Player of the Year for 2013.