Michael Sam speaks to father for first time since coming out
By Will Stroude
Less than a week after stepping away from American Football indefinitely after struggling with mental health issues, Michael Sam has begun to reconnect with his father, who he became estranged from after coming out last year.
The 25-year-old, who announced his intention to step away from the game after a “difficult 12 months” last weekend, has revealed that he has now spoken to his father for the first time since coming out in February 2014.
“First time chatting with my dad since February 2014!!! #love #forgiveness #refocus #nextstop,” the former Alouettes defensive end tweeted yesterday (August 20).
First time chatting with my dad since February 2014!!! #love #forgiveness #refocus #nextstop
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSam52) August 20, 2015
Sam’s father prevously told the New York Times that said he “couldn’t eat no more” when he learned of his son’s sexuality last February.
“I don’t want my grandkids raised in that kind of environment,” he said.
“I’m old school. I’m a man-and-a-woman type of guy.”
Before his indefinite break from football, Sam signed a two-year deal with the Montreal Alouettes this summer and became the first openly gay player in the CFL when he played sparingly for the Alouettes in their August 7 match against the Ottawa Redblacks.
Here’s hoping this latest breakthrough with his father helps get him back in the game soon.
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