Michael Sam: First openly gay NFL player set to sign with the Dallas Cowboys

Sam has been signed to the Cowboys' practice squad

Micahel Sam (Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys have offered free agent defensive end Michael Sam a contract.

Sam became the first openly gay player to make an NFL team when he was drafted by the St Louis Rams earlier this summer, but was cut from the team on Sunday, with Jeff Fisher calling it "a football decision".

Sam, who has received an offer from the WWE to appear on Monday Night Raw, is set to have a physical examination at some point on Wednesday before being signed to the team's practice squad.

That means it is not a guarantee that Sam will become the first openly gay player to play in the NFL, though early speculation indicates he should make the final roster.

Sam, a native Texan, told MailOnline it was "great to be heading home".

Speculation that Sam has been cut because of homophobia in the NFL has been rampant, while others have said the Cowboys announcement is a publicity stunt.

"None of that matters, I’m excited to be to be joining Dallas, I just want to play football, it's great to be heading back to my home state," he said.

"It's been a roller coaster this past week but I'm happy where I'm at now.

"I'm just looking forward to being a Cowboy, my focus is on making the team.’