The award is named for tennis player Arthur Ashe, who became an outspoken AIDS activist after contracting the disease from a blood transfusion.
He will receive the award at the ESPY Awards on July 16.
Usa Today Sports/Usa Today Sports
I understand how big this is. 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.
Via espn.go.com
Michael Sam with Wade Davis, Chris Kluwe, Brendon Ayanbadejo, and Billy Bean.