Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: Michael Sam's sexuality is 'a dead issue'

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says practice squad defensive end Michael Sam's sexuality is not an issue in the locker room.

"It's a dead issue. A dead issue," Jones told USA TODAY's Nancy Armour. 

Sam, the first openly gay player to be selected in the NFL draft, was signed to the Cowboys' practice squad in September after being cut by the Rams. 

• NFL Week 7 Coverage Hub

Armour also conducted an informal poll of Cowboys fans at Sunday's game against the Giants. Seven of the 15 fans she questioned did not know Sam was on the team's practice squad. 

• PRICE: Why ya gotta hate? Romo's rise from obscurity to spotlight

Sam was the named Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC last season after recording 11.5 sacks for the Missouri Tigers.

He was taken in the seventh round of this year's draft by the Rams and had three sacks during the preseason. The Rams released him at the end of training camp, and chose not to sign him to their practice squad.

- Dan Gartland