Although his NFL career was short lived, Michael Sam created history two years ago by becoming the first publicly gay player to be drafted by a pro football team.  

But now, the former defensive end is headed back to the University of Missouri to fight another uphill battle.

Although he was vague in how he's going to do so, Sam told TMZ Sports that he plans on returning to Missouri to contest the state's controversial anti-gay bill.

SJR 39, also referred to as the "Religious Freedom Bill," would allow businesses to openly discriminate against gays — something that Sam doesn't want to see happen on his watch, calling the proposed law "ridiculous" and that he plans on being back in Mizzou to fight it "very soon."

Late last month, a similar anti-gay bill was vetoed in Georgia amidst threats that Atlanta could lose hosting the Super Bowl.

Let's see if Sam could help Missouri nix its proposed legislation as well.

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(Photo: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images)