Michael Sam's Missouri Tigers college quarterback James Franklin has claimed that he "accepts" his former teammate's homosexuality, but does not "support" it.

The NFL Draft hopeful revealed this week that he is gay, which will make him the first openly gay football star in the league's history if he is picked.

Franklin, who finished his senior year at the University of Missouri alongside Sam, told TMZ: "I don't drink. I don't curse. I don't support [homosexuality], but it doesn't mean I don't accept Michael.

When asked if he was supportive of Sam when he revealed the news to the team back in August, Franklin said: "I wouldn't say supportive, but accepting.

"A lot of people confuse supporting and accepting. Michael respected us. He didn't make us feel uncomfortable in the locker room."

The 2014 NFL Draft will be held in May.