Michael Sam, First Openly Gay Player in NFL, Officially Signs with Dallas Cowboys

It's official: The first openly gay player has signed with an NFL team!

Michael Sam, who made headlines late last year when he came out as gay as he was leaving University of Missouri, has been signed by the Dallas Cowboys. However, Sam is not yet part of the active roster for the team and will be on the practice squad for now.

For a while, Sam's NFL prospects were looking bleak: he had originally been drafted by the St. Louis Rams, who later cut him following the end of the preseason. Sam's lack of a job was surprising to some considering the fact that he was named SEC defensive player of the year. Sam's size may have been a factor (he's small for a defensive end), but some suggested that his sexual orientation was another reason; not necessarily because the players or coaches have a problem with homosexuality, but because of the possibility of a media circus.

Still, it seems as though the Cowboys aren't shying away from the potential media attention. That media attention might be lower than usual, though, considering that Sam will not be traveling to away games with the team because of his practice squad designation.

It's notable that the Cowboys dropped their two starting defensive ends in the offseason, DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher. Barring any other signings or trades, Sam might be promoted sooner rather than later.

Sam tweeted out his enthusiasm over the signing: "As a kid growing up in Texas I always loved the Dallas Cowboys, so to join this incredible organization is really a dream come true. I want to thank the Jones family, the entire Cowboys organization, and the city of Dallas for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to putting my helmet and pads on every day to work my hardest to help bring a sixth Super Bowl Championship to Dallas!!"