Michael Sam lands GQ’s Men of the Year cover

It’s a good thing that Michael Sam was asked to wear a tuxedo as he posed holding a football during a photo shoot for the new issue of GQ.

He doesn’t currently have a team uniform.

But that didn’t stop the magazine from putting Sam on the cover of its annual Men of the Year issue.

The first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team is one of six cover subject – the others include Chris Pratt and Steve Carell – chosen for making an impact on pop culture in the past year.

The magazine unveiled the six covers earlier today.

Sam has never played a regular season NFL game but his celebrity continues to burn bright.

A college star at the University of Missouri, Sam was drafted by the St. Louis Rams and played for the team throughout the pre-season before being cut.

He was then hired by the Dallas Cowboys to be a part of their practice squad before being cut last month.

I chatted with former Minnesota Vikings player Chris Kluwe last week about the Sam situation.

‘I think it’s disappointing that he’s not on a team right now because I think he has shown he has the skills to play in the NFL,’ Kluwe said.

‘I’m hopeful that another team will give him a chance,’ added Kluwe who claims he was cut from the Vikings because of his outspoken support for gay marriage. ‘If he doesn’t (get a chance to play), that will go to show that there’s more work to be done because the only reason why he wouldn’t is because of his sexuality and that’s not right.

‘Hopefully a team picks him up this season because I think he can contribute to a great many teams – there are a lot of bad defensive teams in the NFL right now.’

Whatever does happen, Kluwe believe Sam has made it easier for those who might come after him.

‘The great thing that he’s shown is that whoever the next player is that comes out, teams aren’t going to be able to say this player is going to be a distraction. Mike has been utterly professional and done everything that has been asked of him.’