Former St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Michael Sam isn't giving up on his NFL dream and says he's refocused on making a roster in 2016.
Michael Sam not giving up on NFL dream, hopes to return in 2016
Sam left the Montreal Alouettes, citing his mental health, but says he’s refocused on himself and hopes to return to the NFL in 2016.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
“I’ll try to pursue my NFL career,” Sam said in an interview with ABC 17 of Columbia, Mo. “Taking a break this year was very smart. I think it was one of the smartest things I’ve done in a long time. I just refocused on me, on what my needs are and what’s best for Michael Sam.”
Sam, 25, became the first openly gay player in the NFL after he was drafted by the Rams in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft, three months after he came out. Despite 11 tackles and three sacks in the preseason, Sam did not make the final 53-man roster and was later added to the Cowboys’ practice squad where he remained until he was waived in mid-October.
After not drawing interest from NFL teams in the 2015 offseason, Sam signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in May, but appeared in only one game and didn’t record a sack or tackle, before he left the team, citing his mental health as the reason.
Sam told ABC 17 that he has since fired his agents and publicists, and has returned to the University of Missouri to work on his masters while he trains for a return to football in 2016. Sam has also begun media training for a possible career as a broadcaster in the future.
“Ever since I came out in February 2014, I realized that I’ve been in the media for so long and so much that I got a little used to it,” Sam said. “So I kind of wanted to wet my feet a little bit and see if this could be a career of mine in the future.”
Sam was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American in his senior season at Missouri, tallying 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.
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