Michael Sam said he knew ‘damn sure’ he was gay after his first sexual experience and credited his fiancé with giving him the self-confidence to come out.

The first openly gay NFL footballer Friday (February) received an Upstander Award at the Time to THRIVE gay youth conference in Portland, organized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

In his acceptance speech, Sam paid tribute to his fiancé Vito Cammisano.

‘Vito has been with me for a long time and actually it is because of Vito that I am here tonight to talk to you guys,’ he said.

‘He is the only one who made me comfortable to be who I am; to be comfortable in my own skin. And without him, this would never be possible. I owe him everything.’

Sam proposed to his college boyfriend at the Vatican in December.

The footballer said that he knew he was ‘different’ growing up but he did not know as gay.

‘I didn’t know I was gay, I just knew I was different. But I always knew I had football. So, I was like, you know, when I go to college I will experiment. I will see if – maybe, I’m not gay. Maybe, it’s a phase,’ he said

‘But after that first time, I knew pretty damn sure I was.’ 

HRC said by coming out, Sam sent ‘an invaluable message’ to gay youth.

‘We are excited and privileged to recognize Michael Sam, and his brave commitment to leading an authentic life in a profession that has been historically unwelcoming to LGBT people,’ said Vincent Pompei, chair of Time to THRIVE and director of the HRC Foundation’s youth well-being project.

‘By coming out, Michael sent an invaluable message to young LGBT Americans that anything is possible for them – even playing in the NFL.’

Actress Ellen Page came out as a lesbian at last year’s event.