Michael Sam -- I'm a Pro Now! Sees First CFL Action

Michael Sam is now the first openly gay player in a pro football game -- he suited up Friday evening and just got his first game action for the Montreal Alouettes.

18 months after he was drafted by the Rams -- Sam lined up at defensive end Friday evening for Montreal's game against Ottawa. He didn't start, but entered the game with about 5 minutes to go in the first quarter.

It's been a long road -- Sam was cut by the Rams and the Cowboys, and believed he never got a fair shake in the NFL because he announced he was gay right before the draft.

As TMZ Sports previously reported ... Sam left Montreal's training camp and returned to the States for "personal reasons" in June. He rejoined the squad a few weeks later, and he's been held out of the first 5 games.