Michael Sam signs with Montreal Alouettes of CFL

— -- The Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League have signed defensive end Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted in the NFL, to a two-year deal, the team announced Friday.

"With the signing of Michael Sam, we have become a better organization today," Alouettes general manager Jim Popp said in a release. "Not only have we added an outstanding football player, we have added even a better person that brings dignity, character, and heart to our team."

The Alouettes have held the exclusive CFL rights to Sam since his senior year at Missouri, when he was the SEC co-defensive player of the year.

"I am very excited and proud to join the Montreal Alouettes," Sam said in a statement. "... I cannot wait to put on the pads, get back on the field and work hard each and every day with my teammates to bring a Grey Cup to the great fans here in Montreal."

Sam was taken by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2014 draft but didn't make the team. He has been a free agent since the Dallas Cowboys released him from their practice squad Oct. 21.

He had said during the NFL veterans combine on March 22 -- where he clocked 4.99 seconds in the 40-yard dash -- that Montreal was still an option.

Sam will be introduced by the Alouettes at a news conference on Tuesday.