Michael Sam’s NFL career was, sadly, put on hold twice over the past few months after he was dropped by both the St. Louis Rams and, recently, the Dallas Cowboys. But despite the career derailment, Sam may be getting yet another chance to achieve his football dreams in the world of arena football.
According to media reports, the Las Vegas Outlaws, which is owned by Motley Crue singer Vince Neil, will soon offer Sam, who is openly gay, a contract to play with them. According to experts, Sam, who is small compared to other defensive ends, could more easily show off his skills in arena football as opposed to the NFL.
It’s unclear if Sam will accept the offer, but experts Outsports.com say that Sam will likely decline it because he still has a chance to sign another contract with an NFL team.
However, if those two ventures fail, Sam will still have another chance to hit the field. This week, several sports outlets have suggested that Sam sign a deal with a team in the Canadian Football League.
“[Michael Sam] could star in the CFL,” says former NFL scout Russ Lande. “The reality is, in the CFL, a lot of their pass rushers are 250-pound, smallish guys who’ve got quick feet. [Michael] can run, he uses his hands well, he’s got a nose for the quarterback. … Even the guys who are marginal NFL guys, those guys could go up and be really good pass rushers [there].”
According to NewNowNext, former Seattle player Cordell Law was dropped from the team in 2012 and then signed a contract with he CFL’s Calgary Stampeders. After nabbing 14 sacks last fall and ranking third in the league, Law was snatched up by the San Diego Chargers’ practice squad this fall. He has since played in three games this season.
Experts say that Sam can follow the same blueprint and work his way up from the Canadian league to the elite NFL if he plays his cards right.
“If by, say, April, he hasn’t heard from an NFL team, he needs to sign with a CFL team,” Lande says. “A lot of guys don’t realize that until it’s too late. At some point, you’ve got to put something on film. You’re on the street for a reason. There’s some reason a team didn’t keep you. So you’ve got to prove it to them.”
Well, we continue to hope for the best for Sam. With any luck, we’ll eventually see him living out his dream of playing in the NFL soon enough. – nicholas robinson
