Michael Sam: First openly gay NFL player is cut from squad
'The most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the NFL, has failed to make the final 53-man squad for the St Louis Rams.
Sam, 24, became one of America’s only high-profile gay athletes when he came out in February to widespread acclaim, including congratulations from President Barack Obama.
The Rams’ head coach Jeff Fisher said on Saturday that Sam’s failure to make the team was “a football decision.”
He said: “He’s not about drawing about attention to himself. He kept his head down and worked and you can’t ask anything more out of any player for that matter.”
Sam responded to the news on Twitter: “The most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy, this is a lesson I’ve always known. The journey continues.”
As one of 22 players that failed to make the Rams’ final roster ahead of the Saturday deadline for squad submission, Sam has become available to other NFL teams to pick up off waivers.
Having played college football as a defensive end at the University of Missouri, Sam was drafted by the Rams in May, and his celebratory kiss with boyfriend Vito Cammisano was broadcast on national television.
Although Sam’s coming out earlier this year was widely celebrated, some in the sport expressed anger and disgust. Miami Dolphins Don Jones was disciplined for tweeting “omg” and “horrible” after the kiss was aired by ESPN, US radio host Michael Brown called Sam “selfish” for declaring his homosexuality, and Mississippi State player Rufus Warren tweeted to Sam that football “is a MAN sport.”
Sam’s failure to make the NFL squad could kickstart further conversations about the homophobic culture of the National Football League.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments