Michael Sam Focused on Helping Montreal Alouettes, Not on Making CFL History
Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the Canadian Football League after the Montreal Alouettes signed him last week, has his eyes set on one particular goal.
The Associated Press reported that Sam is determined to help bring back the glory to his new team. In a news conference held on Tuesday, he told reporters, "I'm not trying to really do anything historic here by being with Montreal, I'm just trying to help the team win some games so we can bring the Grey Cup back home."
Sam bagged the 2013 Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year award while playing with Missouri Tigers in college, and his skills could aid the Montreals. Sam's potential to shine in CFL has been acknowledged by none other than the Alouettes general manager, Jim Popp, himself.
Popp is confident that the 25-year-old player can shine as a pass-rusher in the CFL. According to AP, Popp even calls Sam a "trailblazing athlete."
The 6-foot-2, 260-pound player also thinks he can deliver on expectations. Sam added, "My size fits as a pass-rusher. I led my team in preseason in sacks and that was in the NFL, so I'm a pass-rusher. Doesn't matter where I'm at.''
Sam was supposed to play for the NFL under the St. Louis Rams. The team selected him during the 2014 NFL draft preseason, even after he admitted publicly that he is gay. However, the Rams decided to release him in August to comply with the league's rule of having a 53-man limit.
The Dallas Cowboys let him in their practice group but he was also waived in the third quarter of last year.
In an NFL.com report, NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock described Sam as a "tweener.'' Even before the Rams picked Sam, he knew that the player may have a hard time finding his position in the NFL. Mayock explained, "What I saw was a guy that's a natural edge rush guy. He's much better going forward than he is backward. He's got a little explosion off the edge, but he doesn't have the length. So he's got linebacker size, but he's got the physical skill set of a defensive end. I think he's a tough fit."
But the CFL Montreal is willing to take a chance. Part of Popp's statement published on Reuters right after the contract signing read, "With the signing of Michael Sam, we have become a better organization today. 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."
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