WATCH: Michael Sam's Return to Football

After abruptly leaving the Montreal Alouettes, the out player returns for his first game.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

August 08 2015 3:40 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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After being the first openly gay player to be drafted by the NFL, Michael Sam segued to a position on the Montreal Alouettes after being cut by the St. Louis Rams and the Dallas Cowboys. But Sam's new job looked shaky when he suddenly took a leave of absence in June for "personal reasons."

Sam returned later in the month, but didn't play the Alouettes first five games. On Friday, he finally got to play. The defensive end got on the field at the end of the first quarter (watch below, via TMZ), but didn't record a tackle. The Alouettes lost to the Ottawa Redblacks, 23-26.