SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and expected NFL Draft pick Michael Sam made news Sunday when he officially announced he is gay. Sam was already out to his teammates and many other members of the Missouri community, and his announcement only made the news public. Sam had not hidden anything throughout the year, and as Patrick Burke of the You Can Play Project put it, Sam was already out — he just invited the rest of us in.

During the season, Sam wore a rainbow bracelet on his arm, maybe even for each game. Here are some pictures throughout the Tigers' successful 2013 campaign.

Update: Rock M Nation adds more context:

Sam sported @MULGBTQ bracelets in at least eight of Mizzou's games last season. http://t.co/WFegqqC3RW… pic.twitter.com/hMHPjazrs8 — Rock M Nation (@rockmnation) February 10, 2014

Sam, after recovering a fumble for a touchdown against Georgia. Photo by Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images.

Sam celebrates after a sack against Florida. Photo by Denny Medley, USA Today Sports.

Sam cheers with fans after the win over Kentucky. Photo by Joe Robbins, Getty Images.

While pursuing Johnny Manziel. Peter G. Aiken, USA Today.

While chasing South Carolina's Mike Davis. Denny Medley, USA Today.

And it wasn't just SEC games, of course: Sam wore the bracelet during the Tigers' non-conference schedule as well, including the Cotton Bowl: Kevin Jairaj, USA Today.

Sam celebrating with teammates after a win over Indiana. Photo by Mike DiNovo, USA Today Sports.

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