A year after becoming the first openly gay player selected in the National Football League draft, former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam has become the first openly gay player to sign with a Canadian Football League team.
Sam inked a two-year contract Friday with Montreal, and Alouettes coach Tom Higgins was a guest Friday afternoon on "Press Row" on ESPN 105.1 FM.
Q: Last summer, St. Louis coach Jeff Fisher answered questions about the potential of a circus at Rams camp. Do foresee that type of situation?
A: "I truly do not believe so. You bring these athletes up for competition to make the team, and everybody has the same goal -- to win a championship. Sports have a great way of dealing with race and religion and now sexual orientation, and it is not a big deal.
"It was broken last year and became a big media sensation, and I don't think it will be nearly as big as it was. We're looking for good football players, and I would dress a female if she could rush the passer."
Q: Sam has been criticized for being too undersized as a defensive end and not athletic enough as a linebacker. Where do you see him fitting in?
A: "We play an even four defensive front, so we have two defensive ends come off the edge. They can stand up or put a hand down, it really doesn't matter, but we think he's pretty well suited for the type of players we're looking for."
Q: How involved were you in the pursuit of him?
A: "We scouted him and we watched him, and with him being a tweener, we knew that there was a possibility he could come up to Canada and be suited for our game, which is wide open and has three downs and a bigger field. You've got to be able to run, and we feel he has all the attributes we're looking for in a defensive end.
"He got his opportunity in the NFL, and then we had to wait for his role on 'Dancing with the Stars.' He was a little preoccupied, but once that had concluded, the negotiations got serious."
Q: How is former University of Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton doing?
A: "He has been outstanding. When he became the starting quarterback, we went 8-2 to finish the regular season. We started off 1-7. He replaced a Heisman Trophy winner, Troy Smith, and he just brings a leadership quality that is exactly what you're looking for.
"He may not have lit it up statistically, but the bottom line in evaluating quarterbacks is their ability to win. He's a winner."
Q: How difficult is it to scheme against (former Notre Dame High and current Edmonton Eskimos receiver) Adarius Bowman?
A: "With the big field, he's done very, very well for himself. What you try and do is mitigate the damage. You can cover up over top or try to get in his face and press him, but he's going to catch his balls."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.