Not given another opportunity in the NFL, the Canadian Football League was supposed to be Michael Sam's saving grace.

Well, it didn't quite work out like that. Less than a month after signing with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, Sam left training camp before the team's first exhibition game, citing personal reasons. TMZ Sports is reporting that the defensive end asked the Alouettes for "special permission" to leave the training camp.

"With all due respect for Michael Sam, the nature of this decision will remain confidential," the Alouettes wrote in a statement to TMZ. "The Montreal Alouettes fully respect Michael Sam's decision and rally around him to offer him all time and support needed. The team has left the door open and Michael is welcome to come back whenever he feels ready."

Last May, Sam made history by becoming the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team, as he was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft. However, by late August of last year, the Rams had released Sam. Still, Sam wound up getting an opportunity with the Dallas Cowboys, but they released him too.

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Sam then appeared as a contestant on ABC's Dancing With the Stars while trying to keep his pursuit of a football career alive. He participated in the NFL's veteran combine this past March, but still didn't get an opportunity from an NFL team. Then came the CFL opportunity, but that didn't last long either.

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(Photo: REUTERS/Christinne Muschi  /LANDOV)