One Direction star Harry Styles showed his support to NFL draft footballer Michael Sam at a recent gig.

The St. Louis Rams athlete will become the first openly gay footballer to be active in the NFL if he plays a game this season.

His career has been much-talked about and One Direction man Styles showed his support when performing at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis on Wednesday (August 27).

He donned the Rams jersey with Sam's name on the back during the set's encore.

Sam later reached out to Styles on Twitter, writing: "Thank you for your support!!! #RamNation."

The move came as US TV's Daily Show was criticised for poking fun at Sam showering with his team-mates.

Sam has made the Rams' 75-man roster and he will find out at the weekend if he has made the final 53-man list.

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Watch One Direction in action below: