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Michael Sam: ‘I don’t believe that being gay has kept me off an NFL roster’

By Brandon C. Williams

Aug 23, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam (96) during warm ups before the game against the St. Louis Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam (96) during warm ups before the game against the St. Louis Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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More than a year after coming out, Michael Sam feels that being gay is not the reason he isn’t currently on an NFL roster.

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Michael Sam feels he can play in the National Football League and plans on proving as such this year, yet doesn’t feel that being gay is the reason he currently isn’t on a roster.

While awaiting a chance to prove himself in next month’s NFL Veteran Combine, Sam took his belief to Sports Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback column, partly in response to an Outsports story that suggested that he was being frozen out by the league because of his status. The Outsports story pointed out that Sam was unable to secure a futures contract despite the fact 25 other defensive ends were able to do so.

Sam made it very clear that he doesn’t believe there is an effort to keep him off a roster.

"“I don’t believe that being gay has kept me off an NFL roster, but I will challenge anyone who says I don’t have the talent to make it in the league, and I will continue to push myself every single day and do whatever it takes until I can to earn another roster spot.”"

Sam was drafted in the seventh round by the Rams and was one of the team’s final training camp cuts before being signed by the Cowboys as part of their practice squad. He was released in October without joining the active roster and was not picked up by another team the rest of the way.

The March 22 Veteran Combine, which will be held at the Cardinals practice facility, will offer 100 non-rookies an opportunity to show their wares to teams. With a host of franchises looking to upgrade their respective pass rushes, Sam — the 2013 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year at Missouri — is banking that a good showing will open the door for another opportunity.

Plain and simple, if Sam doesn’t feel that the NFL is showing homophobia, then perhaps those who believe that should fall in line. While names are unknown, one can be assured that Sam is not the only gay player in the NFL, a reality that will eventually come to light.

At the end of the day, Sam is simply an average defensive end whose skills are limited. He also lacks the versatility some teams seek in a defensive end, as they can be expected to play either at defensive tackle or outside linebacker depending on the team and alignment. The time will come — and soon — for Sam to prove once and for all he can be more than an important footnote in NFL history.

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