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Citing worries for his own sanity, Michael Sam – professional football’s first openly gay player – is walking away from the game again. He left the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes on Friday and said he is taking time away from the game.
“The last 12 months have become very difficult for me to the point where I became concerned for my mental health,” Sam tweeted Friday evening. “Because of this, I am going to step away from the game at this time.”
I wonder what the problem is. Hope all is well soon, though. He may not be good enough for the NFL, but Sam does seem like a nice enough person and he's a role model for many.
Never has so much been written about such a marginal football prospect. Gay or straight, it doesn't seem like he is cut out for professional football.
At least not in the NFL. He seemed to be doing OK in the Canadian league. Not that I know how competitive that is.
I will give you that much has been made about a marginal player. Sure, he was SEC defensive player of the year, but he failed to show up on the big stage (and this was clear from the combine). Still, his position was newsworthy/historic, which is somewhat disappointing as the first openly gay player to actually perform well and start in the NFL won't be given the attention he deserves as a result of not being "first."
I wonder if the shame of not playing in the NFL broke him? I have to give it to Tim Tebow, though. He refused to play in the CFL after being released from the NFL; he knew that playing in the CFL was a step down and he wanted to improve himself outside of the CFL to where he was good enough to return to the NFL. And look at him now!
At least not in the NFL. He seemed to be doing OK in the Canadian league. Not that I know how competitive that is.
He hadn't made a single tackle in the CFL. I think his mental health issues have more to do with him struggling to accept that his football career is over. There is a path for marginal players or overlooked players to demonstrate their worth in the CFL. Guys like Cameron Wake are an example of this, excelling at a lower level and getting attention at the NFL level. Former QB Jeff Garcia is another. Had Sam played well I think he would have gotten another look from NFL teams.
Montreal was very welcoming and accommodating to Sam, yet this is the second time that he's left the team, I'd say pretty much his career is done, I hope he finds something that makes him happy.
I wonder what the problem is. Hope all is well soon, though. He may not be good enough for the NFL, but Sam does seem like a nice enough person and he's a role model for many.
I wonder what the problem is. Hope all is well soon, though. He may not be good enough for the NFL, but Sam does seem like a nice enough person and he's a role model for many.
I've read that players and coaches have been resentful about the amount of attention he's gotten with no record to warrant it. So he's getting heat from everyone around him.
Between that and being mediocre, it would be tough to stick it out, I would think.
I didn't even catch that! Perhaps playing for a team bearing such a name did it? Especially when compared to what he left behind (or what he potentially had access to) in the NFL. All serious here.
I've read that players and coaches have been resentful about the amount of attention he's gotten with no record to warrant it. So he's getting heat from everyone around him.
Between that and being mediocre, it would be tough to stick it out, I would think.
That would make sense. Then he broke up with his boyfriend, which I'd imagine only added to any issues.
Maybe he should be an announcer like the rest of them....
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All serious here.
