Michael Sam Takes Another Shot at NFL
Michael Sam is in the fight for his football life, desperately continuing his mission of making an NFL team.
On Sunday, Sam participated in the NFL's first veteran combine, hosted at the Arizona Cardinals' practice facility, clocking in at an unofficial 5.07 in the 40-yard dash.
Sam, a current contestant on ABC's Dancing With the Stars, refused to discuss whether appearing on the hit show will hurt his football chances, but he did reinforce his goal of making the NFL.
"As long as I still have that will, as long as I'm still healthy and can play this game, you will continue to see me fighting to get in this league," he told ESPN.
Sam, who became the first openly gay player to be drafted when the St. Louis Rams selected him with the 249th overall pick in 2014, added that he will play professional football...even if it's not in the NFL.
"I am very confident that I will be playing football this year somewhere," Sam said. "So we'll leave that at that. If [the Canadian Football League's] an opportunity, then I will take it."
Of course, playing in the NFL remains his top priority, though.
"I'll play for whoever," he said. "If the Rams or [Dallas] Cowboys want me back, I will go there [on the] first flight out."
Sam was one of 105 free agents put through position-specific drills with scouts from all 32 NFL teams present Sunday in attempts to earn an opportunity with one of the league's squads.
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(Photo: Marc Serota/Getty Images)
