Alouettes' Michael Sam: 'I don't think I have anything to prove'

As he embarks on a new journey with the Montreal Alouettes, Michael Sam's focus remains on the field.

"I'm just here to play football, I'm not trying to really do anything historic," Sam, who signed a two-year deal with the Alouettes last week, said Tuesday during his introductory press conference.

Sam made headlines in 2014 when he became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL. He was released by the St. Louis Rams during final roster cuts and had a brief stint on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad.

Despite not being able to crack an NFL roster, he remains confident in his abilities.

"I don't think I have anything to prove," he said.

Among Sam's goals for this season are to finish as the Alouettes' sack leader, bring a Grey Cup back to Montreal, and learn French.

Much of the focus of Tuesday's press conference was on Sam's sexuality, as it has been since he came out publicly. Sam said he wasn't treated differently by the Rams or Cowboys and expects the same in Montreal.

"In the NFL, they didn't treat me as a gay football player," he said. "They treated me as a rookie. I assume I'll be a rookie in Montreal."

He also had a strong message for those struggling with their own sexuality.

"If you're afraid of what your family and friends may think ... that you may be disowned, come to me," Sam said. "I'll be your family."