Two reports claim the NFL contacted teams and asked them to consider signing rookie Michael Sam, who remains on track to become the first openly gay active player. The Dallas Cowboys seemingly responded to the league's request and signed Sam to the practice squad on Wednesday.
After the St. Louis Rams cut Sam, the league office reportedly reached out to teams about the possibility of them signing him. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith first reported the league's efforts to find Sam a team during Wednesday's edition of "First Take," and MMQB's Peter King confirmed the report during the NBC pregame show on Thursday.
"The Rams waived Michael Sam, the first openly gay player trying to make an NFL roster, he was unemployed for two days," King said, via DailyCaller.com. "During that time a league official contacted multiple teams asking if they had evaluated Sam as a probable practice squad player.
"Now Sam and the NFL avoided a nightmare situation when he signed with the practice squad of the Dallas Cowboys."
Smith initially broke the news Wednesday and commended Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for being a "team player."
"According to sources I have in the NFL, the league did call a few teams," Smith said. "They did want teams to take Michael Sam because obviously we see what kind of movement they're gearing for, and (their support) of Michael Sam, who we all know, came out, acknowledged he was gay before the draft and ultimately something (NFL commissioner) Roger Goodell and the NFL supports and they want their teams to support.
"But other teams weren't too receptive to taking him on once the St. Louis Rams cut him. So in steps Jerry Jones, coming to the aid of the NFL and making a splash with his willingness to bring this guy on board to the practice squad. ...
"Kudos to Jerry Jones because it just shows he's willing to be a team player. It shows that even though he's a hype machine or what have you, in the end, he's willing to do what he believes and what the league believes to be in the best interest of the league."
