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Report: Michael Sam Planning on Return to NFL

First openly-gay player drafted to league wants another shot.

Michael Sam isn't giving up on his NFL dreams just yet.

The first openly-gay player to be drafted into the NFL has fired his agent and publicist in an effort to re-strategize his way back to the league, TMZ Sports is reporting.

"I'm just really focusing on me right now," Sam told KMIZ media, as reported by TMZ. "As I go about working on my masters and working on my media training, I'll also still try to pursue my NFL career.

"I think taking a break this year was very smart. I think it's probably one of the smartest things I've done in a long time," he continued. "Just re-focus on me and what my needs are and what's best for Michael Sam. And I think, as I continue training here at the University of Missouri, where I was SEC Defensive Player of the Year and an All-American, I can go to a better place and then back at home."

After being cut by the St. Louis Rams, who drafted him in May 2014, and later by the Dallas Cowboys, Sam insinuated that he's not in the NFL because he's gay — although critics said the defensive end simply isn't good enough.

| CLICK HERE TO SEE BEST LGBT MOMENTS OF 2014 |

Sam became a contestant on Dancing With the Stars and also was the subject for a documentary by Oprah Winfrey, although he still missed football.

Yet, he walked away from a gig with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, citing mental health reasons.

While pursuing his masters and receiving media training at the University of Missouri, though, Sam wants another shot at making the NFL.

Think he'll get that chance or has the window of opportunity for a pro football career closed on Sam?

BET Sports News — Get the latest news and information about African-Americans in sports, including weekly recaps, celebrity news and photos of your favorite Black athletes.

(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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