Michael Sam is going to play professional football, just maybe not where he hoped.
Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team, has signed a multiyear contract, but not in the NFL. The Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League announced Friday that they’ve signed Sam to a two-year deal.
“With the signing of Michael Sam, we have become a better organization today,” Alouettes general manager Jim Popp said in a statement. “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.”
Sam was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and the defensive end was then cut as training camp ended. He eventually signed with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad but was released before ever making his NFL debut.
Sam earned All-American honors and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in his final season at the University of Missouri.
Thumbnail photo via Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports Images
