The NFL's first openly gay player, Michael Sam, has finally managed to continue his professional football career, though it won't be as a member of any of the National Football League's 32 franchises.
Sam inked a two-year deal with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, the team announced Friday.
"I am very excited and proud to join the Montreal Alouettes and want to thank team Owner Robert Wetenhall, General Manager Jim Popp and Head Coach Tom Higgins for this opportunity," Sam said, via the team website. "I cannot wait to put on the pads, get back on the field and work hard each and every day with my teammates to bring a Grey Cup to the great fans here in Montreal."
The 6-foot-2, 260-pound former SEC Defensive Play of the Year played four seasons for the University of Missouri, amassing 123 tackles, 36 for loss, 21 sacks and two interceptions.
Despite his prodigious collegiate production, Sam fell to the St. Louis Rams in the seventh-round of the 2014 NFL Draft, likely thanks in large part to his decision to announce his sexual orientation prior to the draft - though his mediocre agility numbers at the NFL rookie scouting combine certainly contributed to his fall as well.
Sam lasted through the Rams four preseason games, but was released by the team on August 30, 2014. He was subsequently signed by the Dallas Cowboys practice squad in early September, but was waived in late October.
The 25-year-old Sam recently participated in the NFL's inaugural veteran scouting combine where he posted a 4.99 40-yard-dash, which may have aided him in landing a deal with the Alouettes.
"With the signing of Michael Sam, we have become a better organization today," said Alouettes' general manager, Jim Popp. "Not only have we added an outstanding football player, we have added even a better person that brings dignity, character, and heart to our team."
