Michael Sam -- Cut from 'Dancing' ... Unemployed Again

He couldn't hack it on the field ... and now, Michael Sam's been axed from the ballroom as well.

The first openly gay man to be drafted into the NFL found himself on the wrong end of the chopping block on "Dancing with the Stars" Monday night ... after his final rumba didn't cut it with the judges.

Sam became the 3rd contestant eliminated from the show ... following Charlotte McKinney and Redfoo.

FYI -- Suzanne Somers, "Bachelor" Chris Soules and Rumer Willis still remain.

Now, Sam is faced with a decision -- try to battle his way back into the NFL ... or give up and focus on a career in pop culture.