One Year After Becoming the 1st Openly-Gay Footballer, Michael Sam is Stepping Away

Michael Sam was thrown into the national spotlight last year when he was drafted as the NFL’s first openly-gay football player. In a Friday night series of tweets, however, Sam told his followers that he was walking away, citing concerns for his “mental health.”

The last 12 months have been very difficult for me, to the point where I became concerned with my mental health. Because of this I am 1/3

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 14, 2015

going to step away from the game at this time. I thank the Alouettes for this opportunity and hope to be back on the field soon. Thank 2/3

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 14, 2015

you all for your understanding and support. 3/3

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 14, 2015

Sam’s announcement came as a surprise, having signed a two-year deal last week with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

Sam’s previous NFL career involved stints with the Rams and the Cowboys, and he previously said that he couldn’t “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.”

[h/t NBC Sports]
[Image via screengrab]

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!