Michael Sam Released From Dallas Cowboys Practice Squad

Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the NFL, has hit another momentary stumbling block to joining the active roster of an NFL team.

Michael Sam has been released from the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.

UGH.

From USA Today:

The Dallas Cowboys waived the rookie end off their practice squad Tuesday and signed linebacker Troy Davis.

Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team, was waived in the final round of cuts by the St. Louis Rams in August and was available for several days before the Cowboys picked him up.

Sam was drafted by the Rams in the seventh round out of Missouri.

Just this past weekend Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones was quoted as saying, "Sam has blended in seamlessly with the Cowboys" and that Sam's sexuality was "a dead issue."

The Cowboys defense had been considered weak in the last few seasons, so Sam seemed a good fit for the practice squad. But the Cowboys have racked up an impressive 6-1 record in the current NFL season.

With his trademark class and positive perspective, Sam made this statement via Twitter:

"I want to thank the Jones family and the entire Cowboys organization for this opportunity, as well as my friends, family, teammates, and fans for their support. While this is disappointing, I will take the lessons I learned here in Dallas and continue to fight for an opportunity to prove that I can play every Sunday."

I want to thank the Jones family and the entire Cowboys organization for this opportunity, as well as my friends, family, teammates, (1/3)
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) October 21, 2014

and fans for their support. While this is disappointing, I will take the lessons I learned here in Dallas and continue to fight for an (2/3)
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) October 21, 2014

opportunity to prove that I can play every Sunday. (3/3)
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) October 21, 2014