National Football League

Michael Sam suspended by CFL's Alouettes after he leaves team

Published Jun. 15, 2015 7:19 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Montreal Alouettes suspended defensive end Michael Sam on Monday, a move that frees a roster spot while allowing the Alouettes to retain Sam's CFL rights.

Sam left the Alouettes' training camp for personal reasons last week after being given special permission to return home to Texas. His departure came three weeks after he became the first openly gay player to sign in the CFL.

The 25-year-old Sam was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Rams, becoming the first openly gay player chosen by an NFL team. He was later cut by the Rams and from the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad.

A star at Missouri, Sam earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2013 before turning pro.