St Louis Rams drop gay NFL player Michael Sam

Aug 30 2014
Written by Nick Duffy

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Michael Sam, the first out player in the history of the NFL, has been cut from the roster of the St Louis Rams.

It was announced today that the football star, only drafted in May, has been cut by the Rams as they reduce their roster of players from 75 to 53.

The 24-year-old player had performed well in recent preseason matches, but was released in the final round of cuts, with the final spot in the team’s defensive lineup taken by fellow rookie Ethan Westbrooks.

Though he has been cut by the Rams, it is possible Sam will be picked up by one of the other 31 NFL teams – which his contract states must happen within 48 hours – or he may join the Rams’ practice squad.

He said yesterday that he was “very confident” he had performed well enough to end up on the permanent roster of a team.

Sam made history in May when the Rams signed him in the 7th round of the NFL draft. He kissed his boyfriend Vito Cammisano on live TV after learning he had made the team.

Despite his coach Jeff Fischer claiming that Sam was “doing well” with the team, a planned Oprah documentary about his life was shelved to allow him to focus on his playing career, with sources at the time claiming the Rams had vetoed it.

It was revealed last month that Sam’s Rams jersey is currently the sixth most sold across the entire NFL. The jersey will be discontinued as he leaves the team.

One owner of the Rams jersey is One Direction singer Harry Styles, who wore his this week in tribute to Sam as he played a gig in Missouri.