In an effort to prepare their regular season 53-man NFL roster, the St. Louis Rams cut defensive end Michael Sam.

Sam, created history this spring when he became the league’s first openly gay player drafted. After winning the SEC Co-defensive player of the year award in 2013 with 10.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss, the Rams selected Sam in the seventh round with the 249th pick.

Sam took to Twitter to thank the Rams for the opportunity: “I want to thank the entire Rams organization and the city of St Louis for giving me this tremendous opportunity and allowing me to show I can play at this level. I look forward to continuing to build on the progress I made here toward a long and successful career.”

“The most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy, this is a lesson I’ve always known. The journey continues.”

Sam played in the Rams’ last preseason game, on Thursday. He led the team with six tackles in the St. Louis’14-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

It is believed that Sam can still play this season in the NFL—either with another team or he could return to the Rams as a practice-squad player.