Michael Sam leaves Montreal Alouettes training camp for 'personal reasons,' football team says

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The Canadian Football League team said the rookie defensive end has been given special permission to return home to Texas
In a statement the Alouettes said 'The team has left the door open and Michael is welcome to come back whenever he feels ready'
Sam's departure comes three weeks after he became the first openly gay player to sign in the CFL

By Associated Press and Zoe Szathmary for MailOnline

Published: 23:56 EST, 13 June 2015 | Updated: 23:59 EST, 13 June 2015

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Michael Sam has left the Montreal Alouettes training camp for personal reasons.

The Canadian Football League team said the rookie defensive end has been given special permission to return home to Texas.

A Friday team statement said 'The Montreal Alouettes organization would like to clarify the situation surrounding international defensive end Michael Sam. Friday morning, Michael asked the team for special permission to leave training camp and return home for personal reasons.'

Departure: In this May 26, 2015, file photo, newly signed Montreal Alouettes defensive end Michael Sam smiles at a news conference in Montreal. Sam has left the Alouettes' training camp for personal reasons. The team says the rookie defensive end has been given special permission to return home to Texas

'The Montreal Alouettes fully respect Michael Sam's decision and rally around him to offer him all time and support needed. The team has left the door open and Michael is welcome to come back whenever he feels ready.

'The organization will have no further comment on this matter at this time.'

Sam's departure comes three weeks after he became the first openly gay player to sign in the CFL. Montreal plays its first preseason game Saturday night in Quebec City.

A reporter for the Montreal Gazette, Herb Zurkowsky, tweeted Thursday 'I'm told Michael Sam had a migraine headache yesterday. I don't see him today either at #Alouettes walk-through.'

Radio announcer Rick Moffatt tweeted Friday 'Just bumped into him at Trudeau @HerbZurkowsky1, headed home for personal reasons. Only small Cotton Bowl bag with him. #CFL #Alouettes.'

Moffat also tweeted that day '#MichaelSam seemed rushed, mind elsewhere when I introducted myself @Keithrowe888 @HerbZurkowsky1 so have no reason to doubt him. #CFL.'

A third tweet from Moffat said 'Dont think he had enough luggage with him to be bailing or bugging out on #CFL @vdirico @HerbZurkowsky1.'

Dropped: Sam was dropped from the Dallas Cowboys' practice roster. He is seen practicing in this September 2014 file photograph

The 25-year-old Sam was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft by the St. Louis 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 roster.

He is part of a tiny group of professional athletes who have chosen to go public about their sexual orientation.

Retired NBA player Jason Collins came out in April 2013, while Los Angeles Galaxy soccer star Robbie Rogers is the lone player to do so in Major League Soccer.

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