Michael Sam is leaving the Montreal Alouettes.

Sam announced via Twitter Friday evening that he was stepping away from the game, as a tough 12 months has led him to be concerned for his mental health, he said.

"The last 12 months have been very difficult for me, to the point where I became concerned with my mental health. Because of this I am going to step away from the game at this time. I thank the Alouettes for this opportunity and hope to be back on the field soon. Thank you all for your understanding and support," his statement reads.

Sam played in one game with the Alouettes, an unremarkable debut game-wise, but a milestone regardless as he became the first openly gay player to play in a professional football game last week in an Als loss to the Ottawa Redblacks.

After being signed in May, Sam attended the opening of the Alouettes camp, but left soon afterward for “personal reasons.”

He returned to Montreal in June and was expected to suit up for the Als soon after, but more than a month passed until he was tapped to start against the Redblacks. He played 12 snaps, failed to make a tackle and was badly fooled on an Ottawa touchdown pass to Patrick Lavoie.

The 25-year-old Galveston, Texas native never played in a regular season NFL game. He was selected in the fifth round (249th overall) by the St. Louis Rams during the 2014 NFL Draft. In four pre-season games with St. Louis, Sam collected 11 tackles and three sacks.

He was cut from the Rams and last September was added to the Dallas Cowboys' practice roster. He was eventually cut from that team as well.

In his statement, he said he hopes to be back on the field soon.