PopUps: Michael Sam Booted From 'Dancing With the Stars'
Michael Sam was cut from the National Football League and now he faces another blow: He's the latest contestant to be booted from ABC's 20th season of "Dancing With the Stars," ABC News reports.
Sam, who made international headlines last year for becoming the first out player to be drafted in the NFL, is the third celebrity to be sent home from "DWTS," losing to soul icon Patti LaBelle, actress Suzanne Somers and "Bachelor" star Chris Soules.
Sam, 25, dedicated his rumba dance, which was set to the gay themed song "I'm Not My Father's Son," from the Broadway musical "Kinky Boots" to his own father, Michael Sam Jr.
The elder Sam revealed in a New York Times piece that he wasn't the most supportive when his son first came out in 2014. The New York Daily News reports that after his elimination, the football player told Access Hollywood that he hasn't spoken to his father since February 2014.
"Time will heal all wounds," Sam said on Access Hollywood. "I know, eventually, I probably can forgive my father and speak to him. I know, deep down, he loves me," he added.
As People magazine points out, Sam earned a score of 30/40 from the "DWTS" judges.
"It takes an enormous amount of guts to stand for what you believe in. Your voice is very important, and I guarantee you, it's helped a lot of people," judge Bruno Tonioli said.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba added: "Dance is so much more than movement. Tonight you understood why so many of us dance. It was breathtaking."
Sam, who recently got engaged to his boyfriend Vito Cammisano, called his "DWTS" experience "awesome" and thanked his dance partner Peta Murgatroyd.
"Please give my partner a hand. She was amazing," he said after finding out he was out of the competition. "I had a great time; an awesome experience. I want to thank 'Dancing With the Stars' and everyone here who came out and supported."
He also said he thought his "last dance was my best dance... And I would like to leave on my best dance instead of my horrible dance."
Sam also took to Twitter Monday night to thank Murgatroyd and his fans for support.
Go in to 3:20 to see Sam's Rumba and testimony to his father.