Michael Sam, First Openly Gay Player Drafted By NFL Team, Announces He's Stepping Away From Game

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The first openly gay football player to be drafted by an NFL team has decided to step away from the game for now.

Michael Sam announced on Twitter he would be stepping away from football, saying stress from the last year has made him become concerned with his mental health.

Sam played his first game with the Montreal Alouettes last week in the Candadian Football League. He did not register a tackle.

Sam was drafted in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams in 2014, but cut just before the season began. He joined the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad in September, but released him at the end of October.

Sam was the SEC co-defensive player of the year at Missouri in his senior season.