I wouldn't say he had ZERO talent but he certainly didn't have pro-level talent, and this was part of the problem. The media built him up to be some kind of gay super athlete who was going to break barriers but like legions of other players, college skills just didn't carry over to the Big League.
At the end of the day, professional football teams want to win and they're going to build a roster that will let them do just that. And if you can't cut it, you're out. Doesn't matter which way you swing.
In Sam's case, his skills at the pro-level could never match the hype. Little wonder he's citing mental stress. He had a lot of weight on his shoulders.
But he stands in against a Major League pitcher and gets his ass handed to him.
The whole Michael Sam cover of Sports Illustrated/ ESPN hype was SO over the top ridiculous.
Just think of how many outstanding college football players NEVER even got as far as Sam did.
It was all about the "gay".
Talent had nothing to do with it.
O/T, but there is a very famous former pro QB who has a couple of SB rings, yet will not come out of the closet publicly.
Why?
He actually doesn't *want* the publicity.
Now that's a rare thing these days.