The Alouettes have confirmed Michael Sam's departure from the team for personal reasons. The door is till open for an eventual return. #CFL
— Didier OrmĂ©juste đź‡đź‡ą (@DidierOrmejuste) June 12, 2015
Michael Sam has been with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League for less than a month, but he’s taking some time off of training camp for personal reasons. What those reasons are is unclear at the present moment, but the organization seems fully supportive of Sam as he works them out. Sam signed a two-year deal with the organization (which has a preseason game against Ottawa on Saturday) late last month.
Here’s the official statement from the Alouettes’ website:
The Montreal Alouettes organization would like to clarify the situation surrounding international defensive end Michael Sam. Friday morning, Michael asked the team for special permission to leave training camp and return home for personal reasons. Out of respect for Michael Sam, the nature of this decision will remain confidential. The Montreal Alouettes fully respect Michael Sam’s decision and we rally around him to offer all the support needed. The team has left the door open and Michael is welcome to come back whenever he feels ready. The organization will have no further comment on this matter at this time.
Rick Moffat of TSN 690 provided some additional details about Sam’s departure on his Twitter account after a brief interaction with him at Trudeau International Airport in Montreal:
Just bumped into him at Trudeau @HerbZurkowsky1, headed home for personal reasons. Only small Cotton Bowl bag with him. #CFL #Alouettes
— Rick Moffat (@RickMoffat) June 12, 2015
#MichaelSam seemed rushed, mind elsewhere when I introducted myself @Keithrowe888 @HerbZurkowsky1 so have no reason to doubt him. #CFL
— Rick Moffat (@RickMoffat) June 12, 2015
Michael Sam wasn't having a good camp. He never seemed comfortable on the field. #Alouettes #CFL
— Didier OrmĂ©juste đź‡đź‡ą (@DidierOrmejuste) June 12, 2015
Take the 140-character explanations for what they are, but it doesn’t sound like Sam is done.
Sam became the first openly gay player selected in the NFL draft in 2014 when the St. Louis Rams chose him in the seventh round. However, the Rams cut Sam at the end of training camp. Afterward, the former SEC Defensive Player of the Year briefly joined the Cowboys practice squad.
(Via Alouettes)
