After failing to stick in the National Football League, former SEC Defensive Player of the Year Michael Sam was attempting to continue his football career with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
Unfortunately, Sam abruptly left the team’s training camp on Friday for what is being cited as personal reasons:
“The Montreal Alouettes organization would like to clarify the situation surrounding international defensive end Michael Sam. Friday morning, Michael asked the team for special permission to leave training camp and return home for personal reasons,” the team’s official site reports on Friday. “Out of respect for Michael Sam, the nature of this decision will remain confidential.”
The team did go on to indicate that Sam would be welcomed back should he decide to return to the Alouettes. There’s no other information available.
Sam, a seventh-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in the 2014 NFL draft, is best known for being the first openly gay player drafted into the National Football League. After performing pretty well during training camp and the preseason, he was one of the Rams final cuts prior to the start of the season in September. Sam then found his way on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad before being released shortly thereafter.
The defensive end took part in the first veteran veteran combine in Arizona back in March, but failed to impress. He ultimately remained a free agent until signing with Montreal back in May.
Photo: USA Today Sports