Michael Sam, first openly gay player drafted, released by St. Louis Rams
Sat. August 30, 2014 3:47 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
St. Louis, MO -
The St. Louis Rams have released Michael Sam, the team announced Saturday. The news was first reported by ESPN.
Sam became the first openly gay player drafted in NFL history when the Rams drafted him in the 7th-round in May. The SEC co-defensive player of the year at Missouri, Sam came out following his final season.
"There will be no challenge, no challenges whatsoever," for whatever team picks up Sam, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said at a news conference.
"There's no challenge with respect to Mike Sam," Fisher said. "He's not about drawing attention to himself. He kept his head down and worked and you can't ask anything more out of any player for that matter."
Sam still has a chance to get picked up by another team or to make the Rams' practice squad.
Saturday was the deadline for NFL teams to get down to their 53-man opening day roster. It's possible Sam could still be signed to the Rams' practice squad, or catch on with another NFL team.
Sam became the first openly gay player drafted in NFL history when the Rams drafted him in the 7th-round in May. The SEC co-defensive player of the year at Missouri, Sam came out following his final season.
"There will be no challenge, no challenges whatsoever," for whatever team picks up Sam, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said at a news conference.
"There's no challenge with respect to Mike Sam," Fisher said. "He's not about drawing attention to himself. He kept his head down and worked and you can't ask anything more out of any player for that matter."
Sam still has a chance to get picked up by another team or to make the Rams' practice squad.
Saturday was the deadline for NFL teams to get down to their 53-man opening day roster. It's possible Sam could still be signed to the Rams' practice squad, or catch on with another NFL team.