Vikings GM: Sam Spotlight Not a Bother

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman says he's not concerned about the extra attention that would come with drafting Missouri defensive end Michael Sam, who recently announced he's gay.

Spielman said Friday in a pre-combine session with reporters that the Vikings would have no problem picking Sam, who would be the NFL's first openly gay player.

Spielman also says the team would ensure the "culture is created" for Sam to fit in the locker room, if he were to be selected in the draft. Most early projections have Sam, the Southeastern Conference co-defensive player of the year, being picked in the middle rounds.