Michael Sam‘s career as a professional footballer has been nothing if not dramatic.
It all started in February 2014 when he told the New York Times and ESPN that he wanted to be the first openly gay NFL player in the United States. Since then he was drafted to play for the St. Louis Rams, then let go, then picked up by the Dallas Cowboys, then let go.
Related: The Meteoric Rise And Fall Of The Mighty Michael Sam
After a brief stint on Dancing With The Stars, Sam joined the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes in June, only to abruptly leave for “personal reasons” less then three weeks into the practice season. He returned a few weeks after that and finally made his on-field debut with the team just last week, where he failed to record a tackle.
Now, it looks like he’s leaving the team again.
Related: Looks Like We May Never See Michael Sam Play In The NFL After All
“The last 12 months have been very difficult for me, to the point where I became concerned with my mental health,” Sam announced on Twitter Friday night. “Because of this I am going to step away from the game at this time.”
He continued, “I thank the Alouettes for this opportunity and hope to be back on the field soon. Thank you for all your understanding and support.”
Since writing the tweet, Sam has been keeping a very low profile. He hasn’t made any additional statements and has remained absent on social media.
His fiancé Vito Cammisano, however, is still around. Shortly after Sam’s announcement, he launched his own vlog (engagement ring noticeably missing).
Related: Is Michael Sam’s Football Career Already Over At Age 25?
Tommy O'Brien
What a mess
Njmtpa
Drama Queen
Xzamilio
http://shallowvoices.blogspot.com/2015/01/michael-sam.html
The Dilemma of Michael Sam
I’m sorry, but he has been his own worst enemy in this entire ordeal, and frankly, there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of him making it into the NFL at this point. There isn’t. Hindsight is 20/20, but I feel that from this point on, NFL players that are gay need to wait until the ink is dry on their contracts and they have established themselves as formidable forces before coming out… or assets to their teams.
Sand Nierenberg
Looks mental
SportGuy
Not surprised. Probably has something to do with him And his “fiance” breaking up, as if we all didn’t see that coming.
Masc Pride
Again? What a shocker! This guy managed to fumble every one of the many chances he was given, so it’s probably best that he won’t be on the field.
Masc Pride
@Xzamilio: Are you going to spam Queerty with links to your blog every story? You’re almost as bad as Atticus.
Rainbough
@SportGuy: Why do you use the word fiance in quotation marks?
jwtraveler
@jwtraveler: He Queerty: This comment was flagged. What’s the offending word? stress? public? football? wish? WOW?
Xzamilio
@Masc Pride: Yup… sure damn will. Now what?
Xzamilio
@Masc Pride: Are you going to continue reminding Queerty readers that you take dick like a macho man, and not some “fem”?
Bob LaBlah
Some how I wouldn’t be surprised if he kept asking himself over and over “why the fuck didn’t I simply keep my mouth shut, make at least two million dollars a year, and realize no one wanted to hear about whom it was I slept with”. Too late now buddy. In this day and age it is ALL about money, political correctness be damned. YOU blew it pal.
Blackceo
I really hope that whatever Michael Sam is dealing with he conquers it. I hope he doesn’t think getting drafted ruined everything for him. He had the chance to show his talent and just didn’t have what it takes to make it in the league. He was put in a very difficult situation being the first and I think that he’s a convenient villain for many. I also think he didn’t have a good team around him to prioritize and have him handle things much better. Even without the talent aspect, the PR side of it shouldve been handled much better. It’s almost like some are getting pleasure at seeing him falter though. Ultimately, I hope he finds peace with his life and ends up happy with wherever the road takes him next.
And Queerty, WHERE is your article on the passing of Julian Bond this weekend? Since you like to push the narrative that the Black community and Black men are so homophobic, you should take the time to honor one of the great Civil Rights heroes of our time, who stood up and said gay rights are civil rights and talked about LGBT equality and marriage equality long before other prominent heterosexual Black American leaders did. If I don’t see an article about this it will speak volumes that this site clearly pushes a certain narrative about certain groups. And yes….it would be relevant to this website.
Bob LaBlah
This might cheer him up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZVLHjnitnM
Johnny Angelo Paccini
OMG ???
Glücklich
@Xzamilio:
Agreed. I’ll be shot for saying so but sometimes one needs to operate in the world as *it is* and wait until one is in a position to operate in it as one would *like it* to be/as it should be. This is one of those instances.
Allie Pocket
this is why gays aren’t taken seriously ð???
Masc Pride
@Xzamilio: Gosh, you people are so quick to get hostile and vulgar. I’ve never made any such statement.
Xzamilio
@Masc Pride: For someone with the moniker “Masc Pride”, you bitched up pretty quick. Keep it moving, bruh.
Damon Robbins
He was never that talented and he overexposed himself before he achieved.
Xzamilio
@Glücklich: Exactly. You let your work and skill speak for you and then you drop the hammer on their ass and come out… then let’s see them talk shit about a gay player not being good enough or being “scurred” in the showers… I was in the Army for 5 years and had open showers. I don’t know what gay guys get off in that environment, but for me, it was the least sexiest thing ever.
Bubbleandsqueal
I predict a showbiz career ahead. Lee Daniels would hire him. Get some acting training, Mike! Use your pain!
MarionPaige
What a Trainwreck.
Michael Sam is a Black man with a mother, father and siblings and he worked in a profession dominated by Black Man. AND YET, at the most important event in his career, everyone in the room with him was White.
On the bright side, “those people” still hoping to cash in on nudes / porn tapes of Vito might now have it that much harder.
SportGuy
@MarionPaige: It was pretty obvious that Vito was only around because he thought Sam would have nfl money, when that didn’t happen, the split was impending. Sadly, Sam only came out bc Vito wanted it.
Glücklich
@Xzamilio:
Yeah, I was trying to find a clip from “Working Girl” to illustrate the point of wowing with skill first but no luck. S’what I did in the business world a long way back. Now, if someone has a problem with my being gay, too bad, that’s their problem.
sportyguy1983
He had mediocre pro talent and got more attention than someone else with the same talent level solely because he came out. People need to move on and hopefully he had a good major in college.
redcarpet30
I feel bad for him. He has got nothing but shit for wanting to play football and be out. From both the football industry AND from opportunist gays.
sportyguy1983
And why would anyone be following Vito Cammisano’s vlog? He must be desperate to keep his slim 15 minutes of fame going.
Bailey Bednar
pussy
RIGay
I feel sorry for him; he has so much potential and just not enough… stability… to take control of it. Too much, too many conflicts, too soon?
I hope he can keep it together and take his life forward.
Curty
Whatever he does he life I hope he gets the help he needs. I think him not making it in NFL team really messed his mind up. His dreams you know? He may have to find another career.
xzall
@MarionPaige: Everything you wrote about him is wrong. His father wasn’t in his life and was not accepting him of being gay. His mother is a Jehovah’s witness who thought playing footlball was against God so she was non supportive. His brothers he’s alleged abused him so badly growing up that he wants nothing to do with them. Besides that 2 of them are dead, one’s missing and presumed dead since 1998 and the other two brothers are in jail.
Which one of these stellar individuals did you expect to stand up with Michael Sam? Instead of being judgmental perhaps learn a little about the person you’re disparaging. He doesn’t really have a family and without the ‘white’ fiance he probably felt very alone.
Masc Pride
@Xzamilio: Not sure what’s uglier, your personality or your face.
@redcarpet30: It seems he never really wanted to play though. He was far more interested in getting attention for being the first gay NFL player. An E! reality show would’ve been a better fit for him. Don’t know if he’d even have an audience for that at this point.
@SportGuy: I think it’s the other way around; the “fiance” is gone because Sam’s football future got too shaky. Vito’s not particularly my type, but he is quite attractive from the neck up. It’s pretty easy to guess what the motivation for hooking up with Sam most likely was.
Billy Budd
He was never that talented and he overexposed himself before he achieved. (II)
Marshall R. Krug
i’m disappointed. i had alot of faith in him, and wanted him to succeed. nobody can do it for him, and he got cold feet. so sorry to see this.
Xzamilio
@Masc Pride: Oh, no… I’ve been called ugly by a moron with an ironic name as his bitchiness is neither masculine nor is his faceless avatar showing any pride… whatever will I do my life??? You started with me, dude… no one came looking for you.
Xzamilio
@Glücklich: That’s exactly how I felt about it. Once he had shown them what he was capable of, there was nothing they could say to him. And yeah, you do get to that point where it’s more exhausting caring what others think of you should you come than it is to hide it. I just wish his “celebrity” hadn’t eclipsed his “football”, because as it was, he was being hailed the first openly gay NFL player for presentation purposes only… the media didn’t care about his skills. You see how quickly they all moved on once there was nothing much to see.
Cagnazzo82
I knew it would come to this.
I said it from the very start, first you get *and* cash the check. Then you can enjoy being an openly gay player a year or two or three or four into your contract (depending on how successful you are).
Why would anyone choose to be an openly-gay NFL player instead of a rich NFL player who just happens to be gay? Where’s the logic? Why even take the risk when it’s hard enough even attempting to get into the league?
Unfortunately Michael Sam’s tale will be a cautionary one for future LGBT NFL hopefuls from here on out.
And unfortunately for Michael Sam he’ll be living with regrets and what-ifs from here on out as well… Sad.
Lester Louie
Football days are over. No team will take him anymore.
Larry Dougherty
Anyone want 3 shirts purchased to stand up for him! Really ticked
Cagnazzo82
@Xzamilio: The media’s aren’t the only ones that moved on.
The supposed gay people for whom he was making history and attempting to be an icon for all dropped him like yesterday’s dirty socks in the laundry basket.
His ‘fiance’ as well.
I can totally see why he’ll need a therapist from here on out.
Hawg G Wilde
Is he relevant
Tebn
It would be a pity. He is a sportsman, if now he’s not enjoying this sport he could choose another. He should remember that it was his dream.
Jay A. Scaramazzo
Just take a stand and stay with it.
Masc Pride
@Xzamilio: Oh no, I’ve been called a bitch by someone who took a simple question super personally. Whatever will I do with my life? You’re clearly not lacking in the bitchiness department, so that’s the pot calling the kettle black. If people actually want to read your blog, it’s linked to your name for that very reason. The fact that you feel the need to force links just says that even you know nobody cares.
LOL @ you being proud of that pic. A faceless avatar would be an improvement, “dude”.
@Cagnazzo82: Why should the community still support him when they feel duped (see Larry Dougherty’s comment)? Plus, this whole sham could make it much harder for another gay player to break through in the future.
Xzamilio
@Masc Pride: See? There’s that bitch in you coming out… if it were someone else, my feelings would be hurt at you insulting my looks. But, when they’re faceless talking about someone else’s looks, it’s white noise. Now, have the last word. I’m done with you.
Xzamilio
Atticus, if you come to this page, let me once again extend my apologies to you, as I definitely see now that some of the shadow lurkers really do think they can talk shit about someone else when they have nothing to show for themselves… including a pic.
I guess my ugly ass must be doing something right… never been short on getting the D!!!
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
On the bright side he got some lovely new teefs out of it.
Mr. Sam has a winning personality and heres hoping he goes on to win
Derek Perron
Why the “quotations” ?
How friggin disrespectful. Mental health is an issue it deserves respect and not to be in quotes as if he’s making an excuse
Masc Pride
@Xzamilio: Thanks, don’t mind if I do! I simply responded to you in kind. I wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings since I’m sure you must be used to hearing it already. I might take that little anti-masc tirade seriously if it came from someone who didn’t look so much like Idi Amin. Continue your imaginary conversation with Atticus, dude.
Bob LaBlah
This is the interview that put the final nail in the coffin for Michael. I honestly don’t think he was ready for “prime time” when he gave his response to Oprah in regards to other gay players in the NFL. His body language and responses are all obviously unrehearsed which makes this interview his undoing. It comes off more or less that he doesn’t realized that he is outing people who might not necessarily want to be outed. He really became a danger to stability after this interview and I can’t fault the NFL for telling him no, we can’t afford to have YOUR kind around. A queen who doesn’t know when to shut up. Form your own conclusion but that is mine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9kFz8-4Az0
Cagnazzo82
@Bob LaBlah: Not to beat a dead horse, but you are right. This was in fact the final nail in the coffin for Michael Sam.
The media nonsense went to his head, to the point he actually believed he’d be a historical figure who’d open up the floodgates for gay NFL players. Apparently never did it cross this guy’s mind that his priorities were entirely warped, and that absent focusing on his own career and making a name for himself on the field, there was no way he could possibly whatever status he felt he was on a path for. After all, he was hired to play the game not to advocate for gay rights. So what in the world on Oprah in the first place when none of the actual active members on his or any other team roster are doing Oprah interviews.
And again, even worse, what is he doing even hinting at other players who may have put their trust in him.
Maybe not only did it go to his head, but he may have been listening to some really, really bad advice.
Like I said, he’ll be living with many regrets for the rest of his life.
Even the round in which he was drafted may have been adversely affected by his coming out prematurely. It was likely downhill from there, but at least back then there was time to right the ship.
Definitely a tragic tale. I don’t want to say it, but this is the type of story that can easily end up with a self-inflicted unfortunate event. He’s already talking about mental health issues, so who knows what’s going through his head.
CCTR
I hope he finds professional help and support while dealing with his mental health issues. Regardless of his football career or lack thereof he was very brave for coming out as an openly gay man considering no other current NFL players have done so. I wish him all the best!
Jon Mason
Selfie-itis…Poser-itis. ??
Seriously tho, he’s still pretty young and was in quite a whirlwind. I can imagine his ride has had its share of excitement and heartache. It’s good he knew he needed a break. I hope he finds his footing.
Mike Topjian
He’s a hero. It will be easier for others because of his honesty. Thank you, Michael Sam.
Bob LaBlah
@Cagnazzo82: “Definitely a tragic tale. I don’t want to say it, but this is the type of story that can easily end up with a self-inflicted unfortunate event. He’s already talking about mental health issues, so who knows what’s going through his head.”
I, too, would not be shocked if………….I am going no further but I am sure you get my drift and rest assured I do get yours.
MarionPaige
Even though Michael Sam IS an idiot and even though he deserves to go down in flames as a warning to every other Black person in America stupid enough to think that GAY has anything to do with Black People … Sam is now a “celebrity” of sorts and there is less risk to his life and health if he now pursues working on some talk show or reality tv show.
As I recall, it was less than 24 hours of Sam’s moment before someone White was trying to peddle nudes of Vito and photos of Vito in a sling.
Gerald GeeLocke Panuthos
Poor guy. they ruined him the haters! ð??¡
Patrick Cremeans
He’s a joke.
jwtraveler
Are any of you Queerty readers gay? Were any of you bullied at school or at home or on the ballfield? Have any of you experienced cruelty, discrimination, intolerance or ostracism by straight people? Did that cause you any pain, stress, difficulty in school, work, family or friendships? And if so, what did you learn from that experience? Apparently most of you learned that you wanted to inflict the same pain and suffering on other gay people that you experienced yourself. And for that, I can only say: YOU SUCK!! I mean really, you’re no better than the most hateful homophobes. YOU SUCK!!
Bryn Thomas
Over
Bill Cheek
stranded
@Gerald GeeLocke Panuthos: Let’s not blame just the haters. His fans expected too much.
Clark W Cowles
Being the first is always the hardest. He should disappear into oblivion for a while. He needs to take care of himself!
Maleko
@xzall: It was sure a terrible time to walk out on someone you allegedly loved. Even if you had a change of heart, I’d figure anyone worth his salt would have been there to support him best he could; call off the engagement, but stick around for a while to offer support. Enough if Sam’s world had crashed, you don’t need to be in any big hurry to slow the romance thing down and call it off in a few weeks if that’s your true feelings. Sam certainly kept putting unnecessary challenges in front of himself as lots of you have mentioned. He lost track of his priorities, which supposedly meant making an NFL team, of being on the field for the first game of the regular season. Instead, he was a walking drama play and we all know that drama plays take a lot of your energy to move forward, (they totally SUCK IMHO). I hope he gets back on track with his life and finds his path. I’m sure not making the NFL did a number on him internally and
psychologically, I get that he’s hurting big time. Learn the lessons being crammed down your throat, get by best you can. But the sooner the better, which sounds stupid of course but you do have more control than you think you have; the emotional stuff will take time but not as much as you may be allowing for. All the best, Michael.
William Brogan
Give it up man. U r not going 2 b a pro football player.
Ares Paul Mars
At least, he got rid of the golddigger
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
Wait…I missed the part were he tortured blind kittens!??? You guys SMH
Cam
I respect the guy for not wanting to go back in the closet and hope he gets his head back in order.
Anybody want to bet that the ex-fiancee is shopping around a tell all or a reality show?
Captain Obvious
And this is why black gay men have to remember black first gay second as we don’t get the same support as white gay guys. If he was white he’d have a gay movie career to fall back on but despite the fact that he’s hot he’s the wrong skin tone so most just bash him into the ground and call him every name in the book. Even American Idol kiddies received more support and fallback careers than Michael Sam has.
Take note black people, we don’t count in the “gay community”. This man jumped through the hoop of becoming an out gay athlete, where’s his gay support? If he kept his mouth shut about being gay he’d have his football career going strong like all the other gay athletes and people who remembered black first because we won’t get any support.
Fall for the lies of the mainstream if you want but unless you’re white or a “lucky” token your not going to get anything but hate or ignored completely. They aren’t really hiding it either just look at their advertising and media… It’s all in shape white guys. If you don’t fit that description then you better stop seeking to be apart of that group.
Most don’t grow out of that rac|sm until 50ish when they realize non-white guys…especially black men look young for a really long time so then we suddenly become acceptable to be desired…once they’ve long passed their prime. White American culture will continue to be white American culture no matter how much people deny its existence. You’re seeing right now in the group trashing of Michael Sam who did nothing negative to the “gay community”, he gave them what they asked for, and they responded “Wrong color, buddy.”.
Obviously not all white gay men are like this, but the ones who aren’t rarely call out the ones who are so…
Cam
@Captain Obvious:
So, the fact that he was cast on Dancing with the Stars, and has been on multiple interviews means what?
And you’ll have to remind me, just how many “Gay Movies” have come out in the last year that he could have been in?
That said……I have to admit it is really weird the eagerness so many have had to attack him all along.
Kangol
@Blackceo: I really appreciate what you have to say. I think one of his major challenges was the lack of emotional and psychological support. It seems like very few people seem to grasp this, or the challenges he faced as a black gay pioneer in one of the most macho-identified sports.
There is a reason no one else has dared come out while still playing, whether any of the other potentially out players (or outed ones, like Kerry Rhodes) realize how huge the hurdles Michael Sam faced and they’d have to confront really are. Those hurdles unfortunately include very skeptical gay people cheering at every stumble and fall.
I wish Michael Sam the very best and pray he’ll be able to resume his career at some point.
SportGuy
@Captain Obvious: Sadly, this is very true! He only came out in order to keep his now ex fiance who was only around for the NFL money, and when that didn’t happen, he split. Saw it coming a mile away.
Bauhaus
I hope Sam becomes wildly successful.
Bob LaBlah
@Captain Obvious: Michael Sams didn’t seem to understand the world that he was entering. Professional football is how no less than ninety percent of hetrosexual males in America relive their high school and college years every Sunday sitting in front of the 58in HD television with their fathers, sons and grandsons. It was bad enough (in their minds and many of the players as well who were strait AND in the closet) this guy came thru the door yelling more or less where he likes to put his wangie or likes one being put in him (who knows) but to have him NOT shower with the other team mates nor even attempt to hold a conversation with them (more or less) outside of football was simply NOT going to work in that environment of togetherness that is “portrayed” on the field. He was his own worst enemy.
He grew up very lonely and had no “guidance” more or less in how to socialize with others who were not of the same mix, or so it seems. I have worked with people in an office environment who would get up and walk away from a lunch room table if someone they didn’t like sat there. It was too obvious it was THEY who had the problem of not being able to socialize in the environment they expected to feed and cloth them regardless of how many hands were stuck out to help them. The words and phrases such as “hello”, “how’s the family”, damn but that’s a beautiful sweater or jacket your wearing” “so what did you do this weekend” does not mean you are telling your business. A lot of them felt it was. I kid you not. It makes for a very unpleasant environment especially when the people who are being kind and masking their feelings for the sake of unity are meeting nothing but a stone wall. Yes, you were hired, now comes the hard part: getting along with those you HAVE to work with. There was something you had that they needed which is why you were hired but hey, you aint the only one out there that can do the job.
And then he is going to go on Oprah and talk about other gay players whose obvious mistake was to say hello to him? A simply “no comment” or ” I am NOT going to discuss the personal business of other players” would have won over a lot more people than his response that judging by the expression of Oprah’s face was what ended his career. She knew it, trust me. Yeah, I gave up on him then and I wondered if it was out of jealously because I wasn’t even allowed in the locker room in high school (my head would have been bashed in while the day coach cheered them in those days) and never participated in sports. I was twenty years old when I guy I met MADE me dribble a basketball. And here he is blowing a multi-million dollar payday making a silly, pointless statement about being gay? I can’t sympathize with him no longer if he can’t think quicker than that.
Sams was on the right path but he had no one to guide him with his best interests at hand. He was lonely, liked white boys but unfortunately hooked up with the wrong one. His being black didn’t have a damn thing to do with this. That low-life looking white boy looks the type who would use whatever/whomever that couldn’t see thru his ass up until the day they did and then he would/will only move on to the next “dummy”. West Hollywood is full of both of their type.
Kangol
@Bob LaBlah: I appreciate your point. Why not at least get the poor man’s name right, though. It’s Michael SAM, not Sams.
He is just getting so little respect, despite being braver than 99.9% of the people who call themselves NFL players (the military vets excepted).
Sansacro
@RIGay: Totally. Feel bad for the guy. The absence of compassion and empathy on threads always a bummer. Guess there’s a lot of pain out there. . .
Sebizzar
Good on him. First and foremost your mental health should always be stable and taken care of before anything.
Alistair Wiseman
On a micro level, I hope Michael Sam gets the help and peace he needs.
On a macro level, he has done no favor for the gay community with his coming out and repeated attempts at a professional football career. For many, it has only cemented the notion that football is for rough and tough macho men who can take it. Unfortunately, he seemed too eager for the glory and attention without the strength and fortitude to back it up.
martinbakman
@redcarpet30: I agree. I empathize with him. These young sports celebrities need effective handlers and to me it seemed that was missing for Michael. In the end the stress and losing his BF had to be so hard for him.
When in the public eye like this, like it or not, one needs to cultivate an image and his was screwed from the start with that silly cake in the face scene and crying on national television. Expecting everyone to like that was a huge stretch. It’s the NFL guys!
Cagnazzo82
@Bob LaBlah: @Captain Obvious: @martinbakman: Everything you guys have said is true.
I suspect there won’t be another out gay NFL player for a long time after all this. Ultimately it’s just not worth it.
That goes double/triple/maybe even quadruple if you wind up losing out on that multi-million dollar pay day.
If someone offered me several million dollar salary with the stipulation of not being openly gay or at least remaining ambiguous, I’m so taking that. I don’t care what anybody says, lol.
Hell, once your bank account is full then you can do whatever you want.
I don’t even know who most athletes are dating anyway, to be quite honest. When you think about it why does it matter if a pro-athlete is gay? If I’m buying someone’s jersey I care more about how they play on the field moreso than who they sleep with. That’s how most sports fans think as well.
This whole notion of the gay athlete being an icon just never sat right with me. It’s kind of illogical.
Beto Van
take care of yourself michael
Mykey
Am sure this is gonna turn into I was attacked by the devil who made me mental and gay and now after that episode am straight and narrow