Michael Sam has left professional football due to mental health reasons.
According to a released statement by the CFL Montreal Alouettes, he is “stepping away from the game” and will be placed on the team’s suspended list.
Here is Sam’s statement in its entirety:
“The last 12 months have been very difficult for me to the point where I became concerned with my own mental health. Because of this I am going to step away from the game at this time. I thank the Alouettes for this opportunity and hope to be back on the field soon. Thank you all for your understanding and support.”
The 25-year-old Texas native made international headlines in February 2014 when he publicly revealed his sexuality. He came out just before the draft and was the seventh-round draft pick for the St. Louis Rams, which made him a LGBTQ trailblazer: the NFL’s first openly gay player.
However, Sam was cut by the Rams right after the 2014 training camp and spent a brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad before being waived. He never played on the Cowboys’ roster.
Then in May 2015, he was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes in a two-year deal that effectively made him the first openly gay player in the CFL. He was to earn $100,000 this season.(keep reading)
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