Michael Sam announces he is stepping away from football for mental health reasons

Michael Sam signed a two-year deal with the Alouettes but left during training camp on June 12th for personal reasons. At the time he stated.

"I was always coming back," he said. "I had to deal with personal matters when I was home. That’s all taken care of, so now I’m back."

Yesterday, the Montreal Alouettes faced the Edmonton Eskimos but Sam was left off the lineup and was placed on the injured list for one game.

#Alouettes place @MichaelSamNFL and @Le_champ39 on 1-game injured, @7Bowman in startnig spot at DE on depth chart. #CFL

— Rick Moffat (@RickMoffat) August 12, 2015

Then today Michael Sam announced on twitter that he was going to step away from football for mental health reasons.

The last 12 months have been very difficult for me, to the point where I became concerned with my mental health. Because of this I am 1/3

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 14, 2015

going to step away from the game at this time. I thank the Alouettes for this opportunity and hope to be back on the field soon. Thank 2/3

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 14, 2015

you all for your understanding and support. 3/3

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) August 14, 2015

Personally, I'm hoping that Sam finds the support and care that he needs to handle his life even if it means he never plays another down of football.

Good luck Michael.