After he became the firstly openly gay player in the NFL last year, Michael Sam will take a break from the game citing mental health as the issue.
The move was seen as a landmark development in American football and the progression of the sport when St Louis Rams snapped up Sam in the seventh round of the NFL draft.
He featured prominently in the preseason campaign but didn't do enough to make the final roster. Sam was subsequently cut before the beginning of the regular season and as a result ended up at Dallas where he played with the practice squad to keep up his match fitness.
He also had spell with Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League and made his debut for the side last week before leaving the side yesterday.
Sam took to Twitter to say:
The last 12 months have been very difficult for me, to the point where I became concerned with my mental health. Because of this I am 1/3
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 14, 2015
going to step away from the game at this time. I thank the Alouettes for this opportunity and hope to be back on the field soon. Thank 2/3
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 14, 2015
you all for your understanding and support. 3/3
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 14, 2015
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