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INDIANAPOLIS -- Michael Sam needed no introduction. He provided one anyway, subtly spelling out his desire to be known simply as a football player whose sexuality isnt a national story. "Good afternoon. My name is Michael Sam. I play football for the University of Missouri," he said to commence his first public appearance since announcing hes gay. Sam smiled and laughed often during a 12 1/2-minute news conference at Lucas Oil Stadium, looking relaxed, jovial and confident while taking questions from the hundreds of reporters surrounding the podium. Despite credentials that include the Southeastern Conference co-defensive player of the year award, Sam is projected only as a mid-round pick in the draft in May. Hes 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, falling somewhere between a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme and an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system. Where he winds up, Sam said he doesnt care. "Im a pass rusher. If you put me in a situation to get the quarterback, Im going to get the quarterback. Whoever coaches or GMs, this league is a passing league. Id like to believe in myself as a good pass rusher," Sam said. Hes not worried about being accepted, either, in light of the bullying scandal that emerged in Miami. "If the Miami Dolphins drafted me I would be excited to be a part of that organization," Sam said. "But Im not afraid of going into that environment. I know how to handle myself. I know how to communicate with my teammates. I know how to communicate with the coaches and other staff I need to communicate with." Mostly, Sam wants to communicate this: "I just wish you guys would just see me as Michael Sam the football player instead of Michael Sam the gay football player." His former Missouri teammates certainly did. "Hes happy with who he is. He doesnt shy away from who he is. Mike Sam has got a lot of personality. Hes a great guy. Hes not going to be any different than who he is every day," said wide receiver LDamian Washington, one of several ex-Tigers stars here for the NFLs annual scouting combine. If Sam were to slip down the draft board, determining a bias against his orientation or a fear of the potential distraction would be near impossible. If teams pass on him, theyre likely unsure how his combination of size and speed fits with their defence. "You only need one team. One team that believes in you. Theres 32 teams. You need one team," Washington said. Coaches and executives around the league were asked often this weekend for their thoughts on how Sam would fit, both on the field and in the locker room. "He would be welcomed, no different than any other player we have," New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said, adding: "The big thing we always talk about is respect in our locker room." Luka Doncic Mavericks Jersey . - UFC 178, previously announced for Sept. 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In mens doubles, Vancouvers Vasek Pospisil and American Jack Sock reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Croatian Mate Pavic and Andre Sa of Brazil.SYDNEY, Australia -- Adam Scott birdied his first six holes to set up a course-record 10-under 62 at Royal Sydney on Thursday to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Australian Open. Scott is attempting to become the second golfer after Robert Allenby in 2005 to win all three Australian majors in the same year. Scott broke the previous Royal Sydney mark of 65 set by five players at the 2008 Australian Open. After Scotts opening birdie run, he parred the next eight holes before making birdie on his final four. "The longest putt I had on those opening birdies was about five feet," Scott said. "I hit a lot of quality shots right out of the blocks this morning." Canadian Ryan Yip and American John Young Kim each shot 65s to tie the previous record and were in second place. David McKenzie had a 66 while two-time champion Aaron Baddeley was in a group with 67s. "I like to see the ball running and thats what this course offers me," said Yip, a regular on the Canadian Tour. Asked if he though Scott knew who he was, Yip replied: "I guarantee he doesnt ...." Rory McIlroy, trying to win for the first time this year, shot 69, seven behind Scott. McIlroy made the turn at 2-under, bogeyed 11 and 12 but had three birdies in his final seven holes, including on the 18th. American Kevin Streelman, who played with Matt Kuchar on the runner-up American team in last weeks World Cup at Royal Melbourne, shot 70 playing in the same group as Scott and Jason Day. Day, who wwon the individual stroke play at the World Cup, also shot 70.dddddddddddd Scott could not recall starting any round with six birdies, thinking that he once had five in a row to start a round in Qatar. He finished his round Thursday with approach to nearly tap-in range on the ninth. "Im off to a good start, but a lot of work to do yet," Scott said. "Its been a long time since I shot a low round like this. Its a tough setup but it was a perfect morning for it." Scott joked that since he started on the back nine with six birdies, then birdied his last four on the front nine, the scorecard will appear as if he had 10 consecutive birdies -- "maybe as time goes by, I can embellish and say I had 10 in a row." Most of the best scores Thursday came in the morning groups as the wind picked up in the afternoon. Similar weather conditions are forecast for Friday when Scott will play in the afternoon. "If the forecast stays the way its supposed to Ill get the best of the conditions," McIlroy said of his scheduled morning tee time Friday. "Ill try and go out there and shoot a good score and see what happens tomorrow afternoon for those guys. Well get the best of the greens and hopefully I can hole a few." Scott won the Australian PGA and Australian Masters before sharing the World Cup team trophy with Day last week at Royal Melbourne. The previous golfers to have held the Royal Sydney record of 65 were all Australians: Chris Gaunt, Matt Goggin, Stephen Dartnall, Ewan Porter and Jason Norris. ' ' '