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Former NFL player Michael Sam rumored to be dating Colin Grafton

football player Michael Sam OUT Magazine OUT100 Event 2017 and figure skater Colin Grafton ITV Palooza at The Royal Festival Hall 2021
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for OUT Magazine; Loredana Sangiuliano/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Michael Sam; Colin Grafton

Are these two out athletes together? Here's what we know.

A love connection between gay athletes? Why, yes!

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Trailblazing out NFL player Michael Sam seems to be "casually dating" figure skater — and subsequentlyDancing on Ice star —Colin Grafton, according to a "trusted source" who spoke withPinkNews.

"They aren't official, but they are rumored to be casually dating and are enjoying their time together," the source said. "Despite being very casual, Michael is coming to Japan to visit Colin while at work."

Sam is a former football player who came out as gay in 2014 in an interview with ESPN. After playing college football for Missouri, the St. Louis Rams drafted him to the NFL, making him the first out player to be drafted in the NFL.

Sam was eventually cut by the Rams during the preseason. He spent time on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad before playing in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes for one game.

He then retired from football, citing mental health reasons.

Grafton is a figure skater who used to compete with Team U.S.A. in pair skating. He and his skating partner, Kylie Duarte, finished 8th at the 2012 World Junior Championship.

Grafton came out as gay in 2024 to PinkNews.

"I told my closest friends, I told the people around me, and I eventually told my parents. I was maybe 24 when all that happened. I know there’s a lot of curiosity about my sexual orientation and my love life, but I never actually came out to the public”, he said at the time. "I guess this is me announcing it to you guys."

In 2023, he joined the reality competition show Dancing on Ice, skating with Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne. The pair finished third on the show. The Vivienne passed away on January 5, 2025.

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Mey Rude

Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.

Mey Rude is a journalist and cultural critic who has been covering queer news for a decade. The transgender, Latina lesbian lives in Los Angeles with her fiancée.