Michael Sam to Compete on 'Dancing with the Stars'

Free-agent defensive end Michael Sam's road back to an NFL roster is about to hit a detour. The former Missouri standout has been announced as one of the cast members of the 20th season of Dancing with the Stars, Lauren Sher of ABCNews.com announced Tuesday.

"Music great Patti LaBelle, football star Michael Sam, Hunger Games actress Willow Shields and R5 singer-songwriter Riker Lynch are among the entertainment stars preparing to take to the dance floor," Sher said.   

TMZ Sports first reported that the 25-year-old had agreed to compete:

Sam commented on his decision to go on the show, via his Twitter account:

The timing is interesting. Sam, who became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL when the St. Louis Rams spent a seventh-round pick on him last May, was cut by the Rams and later waived by the Dallas Cowboys during his rookie season. But as he confirmed last week in an essay for Sports Illustrated's The MMQB, he is working to return to the NFL.

"Through all the ups and downs, though, I’ve remained focused on getting back on an NFL roster," Sam wrote. "It’s why I get up early every morning and push myself at the gym, and why I’m looking to participate in the first-ever NFL veterans combine this winter."

Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman examines why this is a good idea for Sam:

The NFL's first veteran combine is scheduled for March 22, which is just six days after the premiere of Dancing with the Stars.

It's unclear what this means for Sam's NFL future, but it's difficult to imagine a team signing him when he has other engagements on his plate.