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Michael Sam leaves CFL team for "personal reasons"

frankdracman23
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frankdracman23

frankdracman23

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Michael Sam's CFL career took an unexpected turn on Friday when he left Canada due to "personal reasons."

 

Sam's CFL team, the Montreal Alouettes, explained the situation in a statement.

 

"Friday morning, Michael asked the team for special permission to leave training camp and return home for personal reasons. Out of respect for Michael Sam, the nature of this decision will remain confidential," the statement said. "The Montreal Alouettes fully respect Michael Sam's decision and we rally around him to offer all the support needed."

 

The Alouettes also added that Sam would be welcomed back if he chooses to return.

 

"The team has left the door open and Michael is welcome to come back whenever he feels ready. The organization will have no further comment on this matter at this time."

 

Although Sam left the team "personal reasons," there are still some unanswered questions about Sam's departure.

 

For instance, it's not clear when he told the team he was leaving.

 

During Friday's practice, Alouettes coach Tom Higgins was asked about Sam's absence and he seemed as shocked as anyone that Sam didn't show up.

 

"This surprises me right now," Higgins told the Montreal Gazette. "I thought he would have been out here."

 

It wasn't clear where Sam was until a radio announcer spotted him at the Montreal airport.

 

Sam also missed practice on Thursday for reasons that were unclear at first. However, Sam's agent, Joe Barkett, eventually sent a text to the Gazette explaining that Sam missed practice because of a migraine headache.

 

With Sam trying to prove he can make it in professional football, his absences come at a precarious time.

 

The first openly gay player ever taken in the NFL Draft is leaving Montreal just one day before the Alouettes are set to play their first preseason game on Saturday.

 

Sam has only been with the Alouettes for three weeks, after originally signing with the team on May 22.

 

 

Michael Sam's CFL career takes unexpected twist - CBSSports.com

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rjs4470

rjs4470

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Saw where they have suspended him now.

 

They've placed him on the suspended "list" but are saying the door is open to return. However, most articles are saying that's unlikely. Apparently, he was having trouble transitioning to Canadian rules, and was working with the 3rd team. There's also a report that he reacted badly to something that was said to him by another player.

 

Should have worked on football rather than Dancing With the Stars.

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rjs4470

rjs4470

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The guy had a chance to get back on the field and prove that he deserved a third chance to play professional football. How many kids would beg to have a second chance? What a waste.

 

I don't see it as a waste. He was running with the 3rd unit. He was the backups, backup. He's just a guy not talented enough to play in the league. A waste would have been if he WAS good enough and kept blowing chances. And guys get second and third chances all the time. Tebow is working on chance number 4 right now. Lawrence Phillips got 3. Teams give out chances like candy on Halloween if you have a hint of talent. No way was this a waste. Happens all the time.

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frankdracman23

frankdracman23

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I don't see it as a waste. He was running with the 3rd unit. He was the backups, backup. He's just a guy not talented enough to play in the league. A waste would have been if he WAS good enough and kept blowing chances. And guys get second and third chances all the time. Tebow is working on chance number 4 right now. Lawrence Phillips got 3. Teams give out chances like candy on Halloween if you have a hint of talent. No way was this a waste. Happens all the time.

 

Then why not go to the Head Coach and owner and say, "Hey thanks for the opportunity. I do not think I am going to be successful here but do you think there are any other teams in the league that could use a DE? Can you make some calls? I really want to play somewhere."

 

Why just leave and not tell anyone?

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rjs4470

rjs4470

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Then why not go to the Head Coach and owner and say, "Hey thanks for the opportunity. I do not think I am going to be successful here but do you think there are any other teams in the league that could use a DE? Can you make some calls? I really want to play somewhere."

 

Why just leave and not tell anyone?

 

Not saying what he did was right or wrong. I'm just saying he wasn't talented enough for this to be considered a "waste". Not being good enough isn't the same thing as wasting an opportunity. He isn't the first guy to leave a camp and won't be the last. It does appear he shared his reason for leaving with the club....it's just that it's being characterized as leaving for "personal reasons". And really, who cares why he left? He failed in two chances in the NFL, bombed at the veterans combine and was running 3rd team in the CFL.

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frankdracman23

frankdracman23

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A couple weeks after he left the Montreal Alouettes because of "personal reasons," Michael Sam doesn't seem to be ready to call it a day on his football career. On Friday, the team announced that Sam has returned to Montreal and is expected to be at team meetings over the weekend and should practice on Monday.

 

The team did not give a reason for Sam's return.

 

On June 12, the Alouettes released a statement that announced Sam's absence from the team. In the statement, the Alouettes wrote that Sam asked to return home because of "personal reasons" and the team "left the door open" for Sam to return. Though the team released the statement, Alouettes coach Tom Higgins seemed surprised that Sam wasn't with the team.

 

"This surprises me right now," Higgins told the Montreal Gazette at the time. "I thought he would have been out here."

 

Now, Sam has returned

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