Michael Sam cut by the Dallas Cowboys

This Michael Sam experiment in Dallas is over. the Cowboys announced Tuesday that they have cut Sam, the NFL’s first openly gay player.

Sam was cut from the team’s practice squad to make room for a linebacker. Sam had been signed by the Cowboys in September after being cut by the St Louis Rams, who had drafted him in the seventh round of this year’s NFL Draft.

Early reports had been that the Cowboys were happy with Sam, and there was no reason given for why he was cut. Sam spent seven weeks on the practice squad and was not called up to the active roster.

Just two days ago, Dallas owner Jerry Jones said Sam's sexuality was a dead issue, and coach Jason Garrett spoke of how Sam was fitting in quite well.

Sam tweeted this after getting the news:

I want to thank the Jones family and the entire Cowboys organization for this opportunity, as well as my friends, family, teammates, (1/3)

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) October 21, 2014

and fans for their support. While this is disappointing, I will take the lessons I learned here in Dallas and continue to fight for an (2/3)

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) October 21, 2014

opportunity to prove that I can play every Sunday. (3/3)

— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) October 21, 2014