Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports that former Rams seventh-round pick DE Michael Sam has applied for one of the 100 spots or so in the NFL’s first-ever veteran combine.
According to Pelissero, Sam is hoping to land an NFL contract that will give him the opportunity to compete for a job in training camp.
However, if no one shows interest in him, Sam has a one-year contract offer from the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes waiting for him.
Pelissero mentions that if Sam were able to put together a strong season in the CFL, he should have a much opportunity of landing a contract with an NFL team. Although, Sam did register three sacks in four preseason games.
Some appear to be convinced that the reason Sam isn’t playing in the NFL isn’t due to his play, but the fact that he’s gay.
“A year ago, history was being made, and that history got put on hold,” said Cyd Zeigler, co-founder of Outsports.com. “No one I talk to seems willing to tell me why. But I get the sense from everyone that they have a really good idea of why. And it’s not his performance in college, and it’s not his performance in the preseason. Nobody will say what the pink elephant in the room is.”
Zeigler points out that Sam – the 2013 co-defensive player of the year in the SEC – is the only player in a major conference in at least the past 20 years to win such an award, get drafted and not make an active roster as a rookie.
Sam is continuing to train in Dallas, and people close to him expect him to be playing football again this fall for some team.
The last team Sam played for was the Cowboys, but he lasted just a little over a month on their practice squad before being released.
During his four years at Missouri, Sam recorded 111 tackles, 32.5 sacks, two interceptions, and five forced fumbles.
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