Michael Sam Suggests He’s Not In The NFL Because He’s Gay

Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the NFL, has been signed, demoted to the practice squad, and cut by two teams. In remarks to TMZ this week, he suggested that the reason he’s not in the NFL is because he’s gay.

At least, that’s the conclusion reached by TMZ.

Caught by a TMZ reporter at Los Angeles International Airport this week, Sam was asked why he hasn’t been able to maintain a roster spot on an NFL team.

“I think I was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year last year… so I don’t think it had to do with talent.”

That was enough for TMZ to conclude that Michael Sam is out of the NFL because he’s openly gay.

Translation — he believes he’s on the outs because he’s out.

For his part, Michael Sam quickly took to Twitter to clarify that he does not believe he’s been kept out of the NFL because he’s gay, and that TMZ jumped to the wrong conclusion.

Despite what headlines you may read, I’ve never said and have never believed that I am being kept out of the league (1/2)

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) December 3, 2014

I know I have talent to play in the NFL and I look forward to getting an opportunity once again to prove that I can help a team win. (2/2)

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) December 3, 2014

Despite Michael’s clarification to the contrary, the evidence does seem to indicate that he deserves a shot at an NFL contract, gay or not. The Huffington Post writer Chris Greenberg makes a compelling argument that Michael Sam deserves a roster spot.

“Sam became just the third of 73 athletes to win a Defensive Player of the Year award in the one of the five major football conferences to not be on a NFL team halfway through his rookie season.”

And Out Sports writer Cyd Zeigler is even more direct.

“For now, there is no other explanation for the collective snub of Sam: NFL team front offices are not treating Michael Sam equally simply because he’s openly gay.”

Although he doesn’t have an NFL contract as of this post, there are some opportunities for Michael Sam in professional football. As noted in this Inquisitr report, former Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil is trying to convince Michael to play for the Las Vegas Outlaws, the Arena League football team that he owns.

Do you believe that Michael Sam is being kept out of the NFL because he’s openly gay?

[Image courtesy of: Fox Sports]