The NFL's first openly gay player has left the sport over fears about his mental health.
Michael Sam, 25, signed with Canadian Football League team Montreal Alouettes in May, but the club said on its team website that he had left for personal reasons.
"The last 12 months have been very difficult for me," Sam said on Twitter. "I became concerned with my mental health. Because of this I am going to step away from the game at this time. Thank you all for your understanding and support."
Sam announced that he was gay in February 2014, before St Louis Rams selected him in the seventh round of the 2014 Draft but waived him in the final round of cuts.
He was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys but they released him from their practice squad in October.
