Sam evasive on why he suddenly left Alouettes
Openly gay player insists he remains committed to team
Montreal • A somewhat defiant Michael Sam addressed a throng of journalists on Monday following the Alouettes’ practice at Stade Hébert, but wouldn’t elaborate on why he left the Canadian Football League team more than two weeks ago.
“For personal matters, as I said before,” the rookie defensive end said after his first practice with the team since he returned. Asked whether he cared to elaborate, Sam stated: “For personal matters, like I said before.”
He spoke for slightly less than three minutes before he decided he’d had enough and politely excused himself, hopping into a van that would take him back to Olympic Stadium.
There was really no need for him to say more. On Sunday, the Montreal Gazette reported via Twitter that Sam addressed the team prior to that morning’s meetings and film review — his first day back on the job — apologized and said he needed to leave because of his mental health. He said he was committed to the team and the organization, and that he loves football.
There’s no doubt being the first openly gay player to be drafted by an NFL team has taken a toll on Sam, but other than the first day of rookie camp last month, and again four days later when veterans hit the field at Bishop’s University for the first time, there were no media requests made of Sam. Indeed, when a television reporter requested an interview on June 10, Sam refused to talk, saying he would meet the media following Montreal’s first exhibition game on June 13.
However, Sam wasn’t at practice on June 11. His agent, California-based Joe Barkett, sent a text message that night to the Gazette, claiming Sam was suffering from a migraine headache. Sam wasn’t at practice again the following day. Late that afternoon, the team finally issued a release saying he was returning home because of personal reasons — but the door was open for his return.
Head coach Tom Higgins did his best to defend Sam after Monday’s practice, saying the player won’t be comfortable in front of journalists until he has actually played in a game.
“He doesn’t want the limelight,” Higgins explained. “He doesn’t want to be a distraction. He really feels (addressing the media is) part of being a distraction.
“Who’s he? He hasn’t played one down in the CFL, and he gets more attention than any of the other players. That bothers him. I know it bothers him,” Higgins said.
Higgins said Sam asked for permission to address the team Sunday morning. It lasted no more than a minute, according to Higgins, who left the room with his assistant coaches. He said the players applauded when Sam finished.
“I asked a couple of players how it went. By all indications, they respected what he had to say, they understood him a little bit better,” Higgins said. “It’s nobody’s business why he left. We went farther (in explaining) than I feel we had to. There were things he needed to take care of.”
Higgins said he and Sam met privately that morning before Sam addressed the team, conducting a frank conversation about why he returned and what goals is he pursuing.
Sam’s immediate mandate, obviously, is to make the 44-man roster and be activated for a game. Higgins said that, realistically, Sam is at least three or four weeks away. He said the 6-foot-2, 260-pounder didn’t report to camp in adequate shape and didn’t realize how much running was required for his position on the wider Canadian field. Until then, Sam will practise on the scout defensive team.
“I truly believe he didn’t come here in the best football shape. I truly believe he didn’t understand what it takes to play in the CFL,” Higgins said. “You have to be able to run. He feels he’s too heavy. He’ll have to watch his diet, work hard and see if he can bring his weight down.
“He knows he needs to work hard and get in shape. He’s here to practise and earn the trust of his teammates. So far, so good. He has been accepted back. I don’t believe it will be a challenge. The longer he’s here, the more normal it’ll be.”