>> Rams release Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted in NFL
Les St Louis Rams ont fait savoir samedi qu’ils n’incluront pas dans leur effectif pour la saison 2014-15 de la NFL Michael Sam, premier joueur ouvertement homosexuel en football américain.
Michael Sam a fait de son mieux pour faire valoir sa qualité et prouver qu’il méritait sa place au sein d’un effectif NFL, mais ça n’était pas suffisant. Malgré un talent et une détermination évidents, nul doute que le buzz médiatique qui l’entoure à de quoi décourager certaines franchise qui auraient pourtant bien besoin de son aide.
Sam ne figurera donc pas dans le groupe de 53 joueurs que les Rams ont dévoilé samedi, date limite pour l’enregistrement de leur effectif auprès de la NFL, la prestigieuse Ligue professionnelle de football américain.
Sam avait été sélectionné en mai en 249e position lors du 7e tour de la Draft 2014, le rassemblement annuel qui permet aux équipes de la NFL de recruter les meilleurs joueurs universitaires.
Toujours égal à lui même, Michael a publié un message remerciant l’équipe de cette formidable opportunité qu’on lui avait proposé, justifiant de son niveau.
>> The St. Louis Rams announced Saturday that Michael Sam, who made history as the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL, has been waived and did not make the team’s final 53-man roster.
Sam, an All-American defensive end who played for the University of Missouri, made history when he was picked by the Rams in the seventh and final round. He was the 249th of 256 players selected.
The Rams’ move does not necessarily mean the end of Sam’s professional career. He could still be picked up by another team, possibly on waivers, or return to the Rams as a player on the practice squad, coach Jeff Fisher said.
At a press conference, Fisher said releasing Sam was « a football decision. It was a football decision back in May when we drafted Mike. »
« I want to thank the entire Rams organization and the city of St. Louis for giving me this tremendous opportunity and allowing me to show I can play at this level. I look forward to continuing to build on the progress I made here toward a long and successful career. »
Another Tweet read: « The most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy, this is a lesson I’ve always known. The journey continues. »
Fisher said Sam has the ability play somewhere. « It needs to be the right place and a good fit. »
Sam, at 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, starred in college football last season. Besides being first team All-American, he was named the top defensive player in the Southeastern Conference, considered the nation’s best league. Teammates named him the team’s most valuable player.
On Saturday, Sam returned to his college in Columbia, Missouri, to be honored at the game against South Dakota State.
