New York, NY – When Michael Sam became the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, teammates and the LGBT community were extremely supportive.

Sam’s boyfriend, Vito Cammisan, a former University of Missouri swimmer, was elated, tweeting “Wow. What a day. On cloud 9. So proud and happy!”

A follow-up tweet linked an image of Cammisan sharing a kiss with Sam.

Many welcomed Sam’s seventh-round selection by the St. Lois Rams. His team is just two hours away from the University of Missouri, where Sam was a successful defensive player.

“Welcome to the squad,” fellow Rams defensive end Robert Quinn tweeted to Mike Sam following the announcement.

Even President Barack Obama weighed in on the matter.

“The President congratulates Michael Sam, the Rams and the NFL for taking an important step forward today in our Nation’s journey,” the White House said in a statement. “From the playing field to the corporate boardroom, LGBT Americans prove everyday that you should be judged by what you do and not who you are.”

But what was a moment of celebration quickly turned to an anti-gay scandal, with several current and former NFL players speaking (or tweeting) out against the kiss, which was aired on national television.

“I’m sorry but that Michael Sam is no bueno for doing that on national tv,” former Super Bowl champion Derrick Ward tweeted. “Man U got little kids lookin at the draft. I can’t believe ESPN even allowed that to happen.”

Ward, who played for the New York Giants and the Houston Texans, said he has since received death threats after making the comments.

Don Jones of the Miami Dolphins also expressed his distaste for the kiss, tweeting “OMG” and “horrible” after the kiss aired. He’s since deleted the tweets.

The Dolphins quickly responded to Jones’ comments, demanding he pay an undisclosed fine, keeping him from participating in any team activities until he completes “training for his recent comments made on social media.”

“We met with Don today about respect, discrimination and judgement,” the Dolphins released in a statement on Sunday. “These comments are not consistent with the values and standards of our program.”

Jones later offered an apology for his remarks.

“I want to apologize to Michael Sam for the inappropriate comments that I made last night on social media,” he said in a statement on Sunday. “I take full responsibility for them and I regret that these tweets took away from his draft moment. I remember last year when I was drafted in the seventh round and all of the emotions and happiness I felt when I received the call that gave me an opportunity to play for an NFL team and I wish him all the best in his NFL career.”

Smith has yet to comment on the remarks made during his draft.