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First openly gay NFL draftee Michael Sam cut by Rams | First openly gay NFL draftee Michael Sam cut by Rams |
(35 minutes later) | |
Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted into the National Football League, has failed to make the final roster for the St Louis Rams. | Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted into the National Football League, has failed to make the final roster for the St Louis Rams. |
The Rams filed their roster before Saturday afternoon's deadline and Sam was not among the 53-strong squad. | |
The 24-year-old defensive end can still be picked up by another team ahead of the season-opening matches next week. | The 24-year-old defensive end can still be picked up by another team ahead of the season-opening matches next week. |
Sam's move to declare his homosexuality in February was applauded by many, including President Barack Obama. | Sam's move to declare his homosexuality in February was applauded by many, including President Barack Obama. |
'I can play' | 'I can play' |
Sam was one of 22 players waived in the Rams' final cut. | Sam was one of 22 players waived in the Rams' final cut. |
He had been selected by the Rams on the final day of this year's draft in May and he kissed his boyfriend as a national television audience looked on. | He had been selected by the Rams on the final day of this year's draft in May and he kissed his boyfriend as a national television audience looked on. |
Head coach Jeff Fisher had said he was mainly focused on what the footballer could do on the field. | Head coach Jeff Fisher had said he was mainly focused on what the footballer could do on the field. |
Fisher said on Saturday there would be no challenge for any team that picked up Sam. | Fisher said on Saturday there would be no challenge for any team that picked up Sam. |
"He's not about drawing attention to himself. He kept his head down and worked and you can't ask anything more out of any player for that matter," Fisher said. | "He's not about drawing attention to himself. He kept his head down and worked and you can't ask anything more out of any player for that matter," Fisher said. |
"The most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy, this is a lesson I've always known. The journey continues," Sam tweeted after the Rams' decision was announced. | |
Sam featured in the 26-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints, saying afterwards: "You know, I can play in this league." | Sam featured in the 26-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints, saying afterwards: "You know, I can play in this league." |
Sam played college football at the University of Missouri. | Sam played college football at the University of Missouri. |
He had revealed his sexuality to his former college teammates, but admitted doing so publicly was "a weight off his chest". | He had revealed his sexuality to his former college teammates, but admitted doing so publicly was "a weight off his chest". |
"I probably may be the first but I won't be the last. And I think only good things will come from this," he added. | "I probably may be the first but I won't be the last. And I think only good things will come from this," he added. |
In February, basketball player Jason Collins become the first openly gay athlete to play in a competitive game for a major US professional sports league when he came on for the Brooklyn Nets against the LA Lakers. | In February, basketball player Jason Collins become the first openly gay athlete to play in a competitive game for a major US professional sports league when he came on for the Brooklyn Nets against the LA Lakers. |