First 'out' NFL prospect Michael Sam captured on video dancing topless in Missouri gay bar a month before telling the world

• Enjoying himself in Missouri's SoCo nightclub in October  - approximately two months after he came out to all his team mates
• Was asked to put his shirt back on - but did so after dancing to Michael Jackson's Rock With You
• Michael Sam could become the first openly homosexual player in the NFL
• Missouri's defensive lineman, 23, announced in interviews on Sunday: 'I am an openly, proud gay man'
• Sam said his teammates and coaches at Missouri knew in August
• Michelle Obama said Sam was an 'inspiration'
• His father Michael Sr said he was told via text on his birthday
  

By James Nye and Daily Mail Reporters

Published: 01:53 EDT, 12 February 2014 | Updated: 07:31 EDT, 12 February 2014

Footage of NFL hopeful Michael Sam dancing topless in a Missouri gay bar showing off his best moves has emerged in the week he dramatically came out to the nation ahead of the draft.

Sam, 23, was videoed at the SoCo nightclub in Columbia in October - just a few months after he had told all his Mizzou team mates he was gay and received their overwhelming support.

In the footage, Sam dances along to Michael Jackson's Rock With You alongside a group of excited looking women, who all seem to be enjoying themselves.

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Moves: Michael Sam is seen here topless surrounded by women in a grab from a video recorded in October at Missouri's gay SoCo nightclub in Columbia. At the time the video was shot Sam had come out to his team mates - but it was still months before his dramatic coming out to the nation in anticipation of the NFL draft

However, shirts are required at the popular club and sources told TMZ, who obtained the video, security approached a laughing Sam and asked him to cover up - which he did.

Indeed, this week has been one of celebration for Sam after his proud father, Michael Sam Sr. said he has no doubt his boy is capable of weathering any criticism he might face, adding that from an early age Michael 'wanted to make something of himself'.

Sam Sr has joined a chorus of support for the brave decision made by the defensive linesman, who could become the first openly homosexual NFL player if he is selected for the league later this year.

Sam's aunt Geraldine, whom he took to the Lombardi Awards dinner in Houston, said her nephew should commended.

'He wanted to take the high road and do it up front,' she told KHOU.

'So i applaud him for what he did. That took alot of courage.'

Michelle Obama, along with some of the biggest names in the NFL, have also sent congratulatory messages.

'You're an inspiration to all of us,' the first lady wrote to Sam on Twitter.

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Strong: Missouri senior defensive lineman Michael Sam speaks to the media during an NCAA college football news conference in Irving, Texas. Sam says he is gay, and he could become the first openly homosexual player in the NFL

Proud: Michael Sam's father said Monday that, while he didn't know his son was gay, he loves him no matter what

Tom Crabtree of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers added: 'Good for Michael Sam. Takes courage for where he is in his career and where we are as a league. I applaud him.'

The comments section in his Facebook page was also inundated with people praising him as a 'positive role model for many' and thanking him for his 'brave and class act'.

But while they offered their support, hundreds of internet trolls bombarded Sam with a slew of personal attacks, while senior sport insiders warned his decision could ruin his professional career.

His announcement provoked a particularly strong backlash from religious sectors.

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Proud: Michelle Obama tweeted a message of support to Michael Sam, commending his decision

Response: Sam responded to the first lady on Twitter, thanking her for her support

Within hours of his announcement yesterday, the Missouri defensive lineman was told he was 'hellbound' and he was part of a 'gay commercial being shoved down children's throats'.

One internet user called Anco Andrede said: 'If you accept homosexualitys (sic) you are hellbound for eternity with no chance of escape when the demons rip you apart and put you together again and torture you forever...'

The poster also demanded that he 'repent to God almighty or you will go there [Hell] forever.'

Another added that Sam should now be required to use other shower facilities in the locker room.

However, the vast majority of comments were positive and welcomed news that a top sportsman had the courage to come out.

But it was not just the darker realms of the internet which reacted angrily to Sam's revelations.

Several NFL insiders said the news that he was gay had done serious damage to his career prospects in the top-flight American football league and harmed his earning potential.

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Game mode: In an image taken last month, Sam warms up before the Cotton Bowl NCAA football game

Proud: The image - as with many others - shows Sam has been wearing a rainbow-colored wrist band showing his allegiance to the gay community for numerous games. His teammates said they knew for 5 years

But, a number of senior figures thought the massive media attention now brought upon Sam, especially until the NFL draft on May 8, could harm his likelihood of being picked by a top team for the next season.

An assistant coach told Sports Illustrated: 'There are guys in locker rooms that maturity-wise cannot handle it or deal with the thought of that.'

Missouri's All-American defensive lineman, 23, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound senior, released a series of coordinated interviews with The New York Times and ESPN's Outside the Lines program on Sunday.

'I'm Michael Sam. I'm a football player and I'm gay,' Sam, a defensive lineman, said in the video posted online. 'I just want to own my truth before anyone breaks a story about me.'

Coming out: Missouri All-American Michael Sam says he is gay, and the defensive end could become the first openly homosexual player in the NFL

Sin: One twitter user attacked the NFL prospect as someone who was being 'praised for sin'

'Hellbound': Other postings on YouTube said Michael Sam would be 'hellbound' and would be ripped apart by demons for being gay

He went on to say that when he first spoke with his teammates about his sexuality last August, they rallied around him and supported him.

'We admire Michael Sam's honesty and courage,' the NFL said in a statement.

'Michael is a football player. Any player with ability and determination can succeed in the NFL. We look forward to welcoming and supporting Michael Sam in 2014.'

Representatives for Sam had been letting NFL teams aware that he was planning to come out before this month's NFL scouting combine.

Sportsman: Before coming out to all his teammates and coaches, Sam said he told a few close friends and dated another Missouri athlete who was not a football player

No NFL player has ever announced publicly he's gay while his career is active. Former players including Esera Tuaolo have admitted they are gay after retiring.

In his series of interviews, Sam said, 'I am an openly, proud gay man.'

'It's a big deal. No one has done this before. And it's kind of a nervous process, but I know what I want to be ... I want to be a football player in the NFL.'