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Michael Sam, 1st Openly Gay NFL Draft Pick, Cut By St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams have cut defensive end Michael Sam, the first openly gay draft pick in NFL history. Sam narrowly missed out on the ninth and final slot on the team's defensive lineup, though Sam and Rams coach Jeff Fisher were optimistic about his future prospects.

Fisher was adamant that the decision was based purely on football and not Sam's sexuality, adding that there would be "no challenges whatsoever" for any team that might pick him up.

"There's no challenge with respect to Mike Sam," Fisher said at a press conference on Saturday. "He's not about drawing attention to himself. He kept his head down and worked and you can't ask anything more out of any player for that matter."

The coach said he was personally "pulling" for Sam and that he believes "he can play in this league."

Sam thanked the Rams for the opportunity on Twitter following the news:

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 30, 2014

show I can play at this level. I look forward to continuing to build on the progress I made here toward a long and successful career (2/2)

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 30, 2014

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 30, 2014

Another NFL team will have until noon today to put in a claim for Sam, but if he goes unclaimed, he will be free to sign with a practice squad.

LGBT sports icons Jason Collins and Billie Jean King offered their support to Sam, with King calling the 24-year-old "remarkable."

"Michael Sam's quest to play in the NFL may have hit a roadblock today, but he may not be out of the game," King told ESPN. "This is a football issue and not about his sexual orientation. Some have said he can play in the NFL and hopefully another team will pick him up. What he has already done for the LGBT community is remarkable and I don't think we have seen the last of Michael Sam."

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