When Michael Sam decided to travel north and join the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes, many assumed that the former SEC co-Defensive Player of the Year would have little trouble making a name for himself in what is essentially viewed by most as a sort of farm system for the NFL.
The expectation was that Sam would likely play well and attempt to find himself another shot at the big leagues once he'd put some good work on film in Montreal.
Unfortunately, that dream may never become reality as Sam left the Alouettes last week for what the team deemed, "personal reasons," before subsequently suspending the rush-end.
Thanks to the latest report, we may now know why Sam really left.
"The latest theory concerning Sam's departure was that he simply wasn't good enough to make the roster, sensed this and left to save himself and the organization embarrassment. This particular scenario is gaining steam throughout the Als dressing room and, for that matter, the CFL," writes Herb Zurkowsky of The Montreal Gazette.
Sam, still just 25, was a star pass-rusher at Missouri who seemed likely for a bright future in the NFL. Shortly before the 2014 NFL Draft Sam announced that he was gay and questions suddenly swirled about his professional career.
Despite concerns over how teammates would accept him, Sam was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh-round. He spent time with the Rams throughout the 2014 preseason, but was ultimately cut before the year. Sam was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad for a short time, but was again released.
Sam spent time away from football - time which included a stint on Dancing With the Stars - but finally found his way back to the game via the CFL and the Alouettes.
His time in Montreal though, may prove to be short-lived. Sam's decision to leave the team on the eve of their first exhibition game left Alouettes GM Jim Popp confused.
"There's nothing to tell you. He wanted to go home, and that's what he did. I don't know why. When a guy wants to go home, they go home. He had some personal things to take care of," Popp said last week, via The Gazette.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he returns. I'm surprised he left. I was very surprised. If he doesn't come back, I would think football's over for him. He's the one that has to face that. But I don't think he doesn't want to play football. That's why he came here."
If fear over not making the roster is really the reason Sam left, it's a flimsy one and will likely prove a sad end to what was once viewed as a promising career for a player who represented more than just football in the eyes of a lot of hopeful fans.
