Michael Sam Is Going to Grad School

Michael Sam announced last month via Twitter that he was going to "step away" from football due to mental health concerns. Now, in a series of recent tweets, he says he's enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Missouri, his alma mater where he played for Mizzou.

Sam became the first openly gay man to be drafted into the NFL when he was signed by the St. Louis Rams in 2014, but then after a disappointing beginning, he was cut from the Rams' roster and never played. He did, however, end up appearing on Dancing With the Stars. Then, in May 2015, Sam signed a two-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He did play one game for the team in August -- becoming the first openly gay man to play in the CFL -- but announced his departure from the Alouettes a few days later.

Related | Michael Sam and the Draw That Changed American Sports Forever

President Obama congratulated the athlete last year after he made headlines, saying: "From the playing field to the corporate boardroom, LGBT Americans prove everyday that you should be judged by what you do and not who you are." When Sam was later presented the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs, he gave a moving speech, stating:

"This year I have a lot of experience being part of something a lot bigger than myself. At times I've felt like I've been living in a massive storm, and I know the storm will end. I'm here tonight to tell you that the lessons I learned about love, respect, and being true to yourself will never leave me."

Now, it's unclear what the future has in store for him.