Defensive end Michael Sam, the NFL's first active openly gay player, will become a member of the Dallas Cowboy's practice squad a few days after being cut from the St. Louis Ram's 53-man roster.
Although Sam had an overall solid preseason performance with 11 tackles and three sacks, he was unable to make the Rams' roster which is filled with elite talent on the defensive line. The 7th round pick made an impression on teams around the league, and the Cowboys, the second most valuable franchise in North American sports, were first to react with an offer.
"It's been a roller coaster this past week but I'm happy where I'm at now," Sam told Daily Mail. "I'm just looking forward to being a Cowboy, my focus is on making the team."
Players who are cut from teams after the preseason always have chances to sign with teams after being released. Additions are made to rosters for a number of reasons including injury.
The Cowboys have suffered major injuries on the defensive side of the ball, particularly for linemen. Rookie defensive end DeMarcus Lawerence, their second round pick, was placed on injured reserve on the same day that Sam was contacted to join the team.
Signing Sam addresses a need for the Cowboys, and gives Sam a legitimate chance to prove himself on a team that needs production at his position. Both sides stand to benefit from this relationship.
On Feb. 10, 2014, Sam, the Associated Press' SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, told the world about his sexual orientation. Many have speculated that Sam's sexual orientation negatively affected his draft status, and continues to follow him as he starts his career as an NFL player.
On Aug. 27, 2014, ESPN apologized after reporting on the shower habits of Sam in reference to how well he was getting along with teammates.
We aren't far away from a world where a professional athletes sexual orientation doesn't matter, but it would be prudent if all of us recognized that we are not there yet.
