Tony Dungy praises Michael Sam's preseason performance

Former NFL coach and current broadcaster Tony Dungy praised the preseason play of St. Louis Rams rookie Michael Sam on Wednesday.

Former NFL coach and current broadcaster Tony Dungy praised the preseason play of St. Louis Rams rookie Michael Sam on Wednesday.

Dungy said that from what he's seen, Sam "looks like he's doing his job really well," according to USA Today. 

"He's played very well in the preseason, got after the quarterback and rushed the passer, and that's what they got him for," said Dungy. 

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Dungy came under fire for comments made during the offseason about the NFL's first openly gay drafted player, when he said he wouldn't have drafted Sam because he wouldn't want to deal with what Dungy claimed would be a distraction. 

The former Colts coach would later clarify his comments and say that he wishes the best for Sam, and loves him "even though I don't agree with his lifestyle."

Sam survived the Rams' first roster cuts on Monday, but the team still must cut down its 75-man roster to 53 by Saturday. 

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Sam has five tackles and three sacks through three preseason games with St. Louis, including a highly-publicized sack of Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel. 

The Rams play their final preseason game Thursday night. 

- Molly Geary