Michael Sam doesn't believe talent is keeping him off an NFL rooster
Fri. December 5, 2014 9:49 AM by OnTopMag.com
Chicago, IL -
In comments to TMZ Sports, Michael Sam strongly suggested that he believes his sexual orientation is keeping him off an NFL rooster.
Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted by the NFL, was cut by the St. Louis Rams before the start of the season. He then joined the Cowboys' 10-man practice squad, where he stayed for seven weeks before being let go.
TMZ caught up with Sam at the Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday morning.
"Do you think with you coming out that that affected your ability to play on teams?" TMZ asked. "Or you think it was just the level of talent that you went up against after college?"
"I think I was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year last year," Sam responded. "So, I don't think it had to do with talent."
Last month, GQ named Sam one of its Men of 2014.
(Related: Michael Sam: I needed football to escape evil brothers.)
Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted by the NFL, was cut by the St. Louis Rams before the start of the season. He then joined the Cowboys' 10-man practice squad, where he stayed for seven weeks before being let go.
TMZ caught up with Sam at the Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday morning.
"Do you think with you coming out that that affected your ability to play on teams?" TMZ asked. "Or you think it was just the level of talent that you went up against after college?"
"I think I was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year last year," Sam responded. "So, I don't think it had to do with talent."
Last month, GQ named Sam one of its Men of 2014.
(Related: Michael Sam: I needed football to escape evil brothers.)
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine