R.K. Rsell reflects on the NFL's relatnship wh LGBTQ+ players, 3 years after g out as bi | Here & Now</tle><lk rel="nonil" href="><lk rel="alternate" type="applitn/rss+xml" tle="RSS" href="/wbur/rss"/><meta name="scriptn" ntent="The ee agent me out Augt of 2019. Now, he's among players stgglg to keep their jobs, even after much celebratn for their bravery g out."/><meta property="og:type" ntent="webse"/><meta property="og:tle" ntent="R.K. Rsell reflects on the NFL's relatnship wh LGBTQ+ players, 3 years after g out as bi"/><meta property="og:scriptn" ntent="The ee agent me out Augt of 2019. Now, he's among players stgglg to keep their jobs, even after much celebratn for their bravery g out."/><meta property="og:url" ntent="><meta property="og:image" ntent="><meta property="og:image:alt" ntent="R.K. Rsell speaks onstage durg A Night of Pri wh GLAAD and NFL on Febary 10, 2022 Los Angel, California. (Rich Polk/Getty Imag for GLAAD)"/><meta property="og:image:height" ntent="667"/><meta property="og:image:width" ntent="1000"/><meta name="twter:rd" ntent="summary_large_image"/><meta name="twter:se" ntent="@WBUR"/><meta name="twter:creator" ntent="@WBUR"/><meta name="twter:tle" ntent="R.K. Rsell reflects on the NFL's relatnship wh LGBTQ+ players, 3 years after g out as bi"/><meta name="twter:scriptn" ntent="The ee agent me out Augt of 2019. Now, he's among players stgglg to keep their jobs, even after much celebratn for their bravery g out."/><meta name="twter:image" ntent="><meta name="twter:image:alt" ntent="R.K. Rsell speaks onstage durg A Night of Pri wh GLAAD and NFL on Febary 10, 2022 Los Angel, California. (Rich Polk/Getty Imag for GLAAD)"/><meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-tle" ntent=""/><script type="applitn/ld+json">[{"@ntext":","@type":"NewsArticle","maEntyOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"},"headle":"R.K. Rsell reflects on the NFL's relatnship wh LGBTQ+ players, 3 years after g out as bi | Here & Now","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"},"datePublished":"2022-08-09 11:47:23","dateModified":"2022-08-09 11:47:23","thor":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Celte Headlee"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Thomas Danielian"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Jeante Muhammad"}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organizatn","name":"WBUR","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":","width":600,"height":60}},"scriptn":"The ee agent me out Augt of 2019. Now, he's among players stgglg to keep their jobs, even after much celebratn for their bravery g out."},{"@ntext":","@type":"Organizatn","name":"WBUR","image":","logo":","url":","telephone":"6173580909","sameAs":[",",",",",","],"addrs":{"@type":"PostalAddrs","streetAddrs":"890 Commonwealth Avenue","addrsLoly":"Boston","postalCo":"02215","addrsCountry":"USA"}},{"@ntext":","@type":"WebSe","name":"WBUR","url":","Language":"en-US","potentialActn":{"@type":"SearchActn","target":"}","query-put":"required name=q"}}]</script><lk rel="preload" as="image" href="><meta name="next-head-unt" ntent="24"/><meta charSet="uft-8"/><lk rel="in" href=" siz="any"/><lk rel="in" href=" type="image/svg+xml"/><lk rel="apple-touch-in" href="><lk rel="manift" href="/manift.webmanift" crossorig="e-crentials"/><meta name="theme-lor" ntent="#393A46"/><meta property="fb:app_id" ntent="134067973330252"/><lk rel="prennect" href="><lk rel="prennect" href=" crossorig="anonymo"/><lk rel="prennect" href=" crossorig /><lk rel="preload" href=" as="style"/><lk rel="stylheet" href=" data-n-g=""/><lk rel="preload" href=" as="style"/><lk rel="stylheet" href=" data-n-p=""/><noscript data-n-css=""></noscript><script fer="" nomodule="" src="></script><script fer="" src="></script><script fer="" src="></script><script fer="" src="></script><script fer="" src="></script><script src=" fer=""></script><script src=" fer=""></script><script src=" fer=""></script><script src=" fer=""></script><script src=" fer=""></script><script src=" fer=""></script><script src=" fer=""></script><script src=" fer=""></script><script src=" fer=""></script><style data-href=">@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:100;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff')}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:200;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff')}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff')}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:600;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff')}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:700;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff')}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:100;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff')}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:200;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff')}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:300;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff')}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff')}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:600;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff')}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff')}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:100;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0102-0103,U+0110-0111,U+0128-0129,U+0168-0169,U+01A0-01A1,U+01AF-01B0,U+0300-0301,U+0303-0304,U+0308-0309,U+0323,U+0329,U+1EA0-1EF9,U+20AB}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:100;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0100-02AF,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+1E00-1E9F,U+1EF2-1EFF,U+2020,U+20A0-20AB,U+20AD-20CF,U+2113,U+2C60-2C7F,U+A720-A7FF}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:100;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0000-00FF,U+0131,U+0152-0153,U+02BB-02BC,U+02C6,U+02DA,U+02DC,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+2000-206F,U+2074,U+20AC,U+2122,U+2191,U+2193,U+2212,U+2215,U+FEFF,U+FFFD}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:200;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0102-0103,U+0110-0111,U+0128-0129,U+0168-0169,U+01A0-01A1,U+01AF-01B0,U+0300-0301,U+0303-0304,U+0308-0309,U+0323,U+0329,U+1EA0-1EF9,U+20AB}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:200;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0100-02AF,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+1E00-1E9F,U+1EF2-1EFF,U+2020,U+20A0-20AB,U+20AD-20CF,U+2113,U+2C60-2C7F,U+A720-A7FF}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:200;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0000-00FF,U+0131,U+0152-0153,U+02BB-02BC,U+02C6,U+02DA,U+02DC,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+2000-206F,U+2074,U+20AC,U+2122,U+2191,U+2193,U+2212,U+2215,U+FEFF,U+FFFD}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0102-0103,U+0110-0111,U+0128-0129,U+0168-0169,U+01A0-01A1,U+01AF-01B0,U+0300-0301,U+0303-0304,U+0308-0309,U+0323,U+0329,U+1EA0-1EF9,U+20AB}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0100-02AF,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+1E00-1E9F,U+1EF2-1EFF,U+2020,U+20A0-20AB,U+20AD-20CF,U+2113,U+2C60-2C7F,U+A720-A7FF}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0000-00FF,U+0131,U+0152-0153,U+02BB-02BC,U+02C6,U+02DA,U+02DC,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+2000-206F,U+2074,U+20AC,U+2122,U+2191,U+2193,U+2212,U+2215,U+FEFF,U+FFFD}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:600;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0102-0103,U+0110-0111,U+0128-0129,U+0168-0169,U+01A0-01A1,U+01AF-01B0,U+0300-0301,U+0303-0304,U+0308-0309,U+0323,U+0329,U+1EA0-1EF9,U+20AB}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:600;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0100-02AF,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+1E00-1E9F,U+1EF2-1EFF,U+2020,U+20A0-20AB,U+20AD-20CF,U+2113,U+2C60-2C7F,U+A720-A7FF}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:600;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0000-00FF,U+0131,U+0152-0153,U+02BB-02BC,U+02C6,U+02DA,U+02DC,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+2000-206F,U+2074,U+20AC,U+2122,U+2191,U+2193,U+2212,U+2215,U+FEFF,U+FFFD}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:700;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0102-0103,U+0110-0111,U+0128-0129,U+0168-0169,U+01A0-01A1,U+01AF-01B0,U+0300-0301,U+0303-0304,U+0308-0309,U+0323,U+0329,U+1EA0-1EF9,U+20AB}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:700;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0100-02AF,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+1E00-1E9F,U+1EF2-1EFF,U+2020,U+20A0-20AB,U+20AD-20CF,U+2113,U+2C60-2C7F,U+A720-A7FF}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:alic;font-weight:700;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0000-00FF,U+0131,U+0152-0153,U+02BB-02BC,U+02C6,U+02DA,U+02DC,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+2000-206F,U+2074,U+20AC,U+2122,U+2191,U+2193,U+2212,U+2215,U+FEFF,U+FFFD}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:100;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0102-0103,U+0110-0111,U+0128-0129,U+0168-0169,U+01A0-01A1,U+01AF-01B0,U+0300-0301,U+0303-0304,U+0308-0309,U+0323,U+0329,U+1EA0-1EF9,U+20AB}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:100;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0100-02AF,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+1E00-1E9F,U+1EF2-1EFF,U+2020,U+20A0-20AB,U+20AD-20CF,U+2113,U+2C60-2C7F,U+A720-A7FF}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:100;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0000-00FF,U+0131,U+0152-0153,U+02BB-02BC,U+02C6,U+02DA,U+02DC,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+2000-206F,U+2074,U+20AC,U+2122,U+2191,U+2193,U+2212,U+2215,U+FEFF,U+FFFD}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:200;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0102-0103,U+0110-0111,U+0128-0129,U+0168-0169,U+01A0-01A1,U+01AF-01B0,U+0300-0301,U+0303-0304,U+0308-0309,U+0323,U+0329,U+1EA0-1EF9,U+20AB}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:200;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0100-02AF,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+1E00-1E9F,U+1EF2-1EFF,U+2020,U+20A0-20AB,U+20AD-20CF,U+2113,U+2C60-2C7F,U+A720-A7FF}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:200;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0000-00FF,U+0131,U+0152-0153,U+02BB-02BC,U+02C6,U+02DA,U+02DC,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+2000-206F,U+2074,U+20AC,U+2122,U+2191,U+2193,U+2212,U+2215,U+FEFF,U+FFFD}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:300;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0102-0103,U+0110-0111,U+0128-0129,U+0168-0169,U+01A0-01A1,U+01AF-01B0,U+0300-0301,U+0303-0304,U+0308-0309,U+0323,U+0329,U+1EA0-1EF9,U+20AB}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:300;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0100-02AF,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+1E00-1E9F,U+1EF2-1EFF,U+2020,U+20A0-20AB,U+20AD-20CF,U+2113,U+2C60-2C7F,U+A720-A7FF}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:300;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0000-00FF,U+0131,U+0152-0153,U+02BB-02BC,U+02C6,U+02DA,U+02DC,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+2000-206F,U+2074,U+20AC,U+2122,U+2191,U+2193,U+2212,U+2215,U+FEFF,U+FFFD}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0102-0103,U+0110-0111,U+0128-0129,U+0168-0169,U+01A0-01A1,U+01AF-01B0,U+0300-0301,U+0303-0304,U+0308-0309,U+0323,U+0329,U+1EA0-1EF9,U+20AB}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0100-02AF,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+1E00-1E9F,U+1EF2-1EFF,U+2020,U+20A0-20AB,U+20AD-20CF,U+2113,U+2C60-2C7F,U+A720-A7FF}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0000-00FF,U+0131,U+0152-0153,U+02BB-02BC,U+02C6,U+02DA,U+02DC,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+2000-206F,U+2074,U+20AC,U+2122,U+2191,U+2193,U+2212,U+2215,U+FEFF,U+FFFD}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:600;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0102-0103,U+0110-0111,U+0128-0129,U+0168-0169,U+01A0-01A1,U+01AF-01B0,U+0300-0301,U+0303-0304,U+0308-0309,U+0323,U+0329,U+1EA0-1EF9,U+20AB}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:600;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0100-02AF,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+1E00-1E9F,U+1EF2-1EFF,U+2020,U+20A0-20AB,U+20AD-20CF,U+2113,U+2C60-2C7F,U+A720-A7FF}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:600;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0000-00FF,U+0131,U+0152-0153,U+02BB-02BC,U+02C6,U+02DA,U+02DC,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+2000-206F,U+2074,U+20AC,U+2122,U+2191,U+2193,U+2212,U+2215,U+FEFF,U+FFFD}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0102-0103,U+0110-0111,U+0128-0129,U+0168-0169,U+01A0-01A1,U+01AF-01B0,U+0300-0301,U+0303-0304,U+0308-0309,U+0323,U+0329,U+1EA0-1EF9,U+20AB}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0100-02AF,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+1E00-1E9F,U+1EF2-1EFF,U+2020,U+20A0-20AB,U+20AD-20CF,U+2113,U+2C60-2C7F,U+A720-A7FF}@font-face{font-fay:'Public Sans';font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-display:swap;src:url() format('woff2');uni-range:U+0000-00FF,U+0131,U+0152-0153,U+02BB-02BC,U+02C6,U+02DA,U+02DC,U+0304,U+0308,U+0329,U+2000-206F,U+2074,U+20AC,U+2122,U+2191,U+2193,U+2212,U+2215,U+FEFF,U+FFFD}</style></head><body><div id="__next"><div class="page page--article channel--hereandnow page--rk-ssell-nfl-lgbtq"><div class="for-screen-rears"><a href="#ma">Skip to ma ntent</a></div><div class="sectn--takeover"><div class="uw--takeover"><div class="uw--takeover-msage"><div style="width:to;height:to"></div></div></div></div><div class="surface" role="ma" id="ma"><hear class="Hear_hd__Pz3YQ"><div class="Hear_hd-ner__jlWFt Hear_hd-sticky__RYBve"><div class="Hear_hd-top__sWhZr"><div class="Hear_hd-top-left__pBjzQ"><div class="Hear_hd-top-left-ner__SVbcU"><div class="Hear_hd-hbg__4ze3S"><button class="Hear_hamburger___eZbd Hear_hamburger--squeeze__DpnnG" type="button"><span class="Hear_hamburger-box__EH233"><span class="Hear_hamburger-ner__EP1gQ"></span></span></button></div><div class="Hear_hd-logo__OnBv_"><a data-ec="Navigatn - Hear" data-el="WBUR Logo" data-ea="Click" href="/"><span class="sr-only">WBUR</span><svg id="hd-logo" role="img" width="102" class="in-logo" viewBox="0 0 82 25.9" aria-hidn="te"><tle>WBUR</tle><sc>90.0 WBUR - Boston's NPR News Statn</sc><path d="M9.4,25.2H7.6l-5-13.8H0.3V10h9.6v1.4H7.7l2.6,7.4l3.5-8.9h1.9l3.8,8.7l1.7-5.5c0-0.2,0.2-0.7,0.2-1.1c0-0.5-0.2-0.7-1-0.7 h-1.2V10h6.4v1.4h-1.2c-0.8,0-1.2,0.8-1.5,1.7L19,25.2H17l-4-9.2L9.4,25.2z"></path><path d="M36.1,11.5c-1.5,0-2.3,0.8-2.9,2.4c-0.2,1.1-0.4,2-0.4,3.5c0,1.6,0.2,2.6,0.4,3.6c0.7,1.6,1.5,2.4,2.9,2.4 c2.4,0,2.4-2.5,2.4-6C38.5,14,38.5,11.5,36.1,11.5 M37.2,25.5c-1.8,0-3.3-0.8-4.3-2.5v2.2h-7.5v-1.4h2.4V1.9h-2.5V0.5h7.6v11.6 c1-1.7,2.6-2.5,4.4-2.5c4.2,0,6.6,3.3,6.6,7.9C43.8,22,41.2,25.5,37.2,25.5"></path><path d="M65,25.2h-7.6v-2.3c-0.7,1.3-2.4,2.6-5,2.6c-3.4,0-5-2.2-5-4.4v-2v-7.7h-2.4V10h7.6v10.9c0,1.8,0.5,2.6,1.8,2.6 c1.3,0,2.9-1.9,2.9-4.2v-7.9h-2.5V10h7.7v13.7H65V25.2z"></path><path d="M79.1,15.9c-1.6,0-2.7-1-2.7-2.3c0-1,0.5-1.2,0.5-1.6c0-0.1-0.1-0.2-0.3-0.2c-0.8,0-2.9,2.2-2.9,5.4v6.5h2.8v1.4H66.2v-1.4 h2.4V11.4h-2.4V10h7.4v2.9c1.3-2.6,3.2-3.2,4.7-3.2c2.1,0,3.5,1.4,3.5,3.2C81.7,14.6,80.7,15.9,79.1,15.9"></path></svg></a></div><div class="Hear_hd-label__fZcEt"><a href="/rad/programs/hereandnow">Here & Now</a></div></div></div><div class="Hear_hd-top-right__L0_7c"><div class="Hear_hd-listen__2UqLZ"><svg id="listen-live-head" width="29" class="listen-live-in" role="img" viewBox="0 0 34.28256 29.03624"><g><g transform="translate(-860.718 -45)"><g transform="translate(860.718 45)"><g><path d="M5.69732,27.52333c0.27107,0.00607,0.53043-0.11038,0.706-0.317 c0.403-0.41103,0.403-1.06897,0-1.48c-5.94937-6.28852-5.94937-16.12948,0-22.418c0.40365-0.41115,0.40365-1.06985,0-1.481 C6.05723,1.43741,5.46058,1.40189,5.07066,1.74798c-0.028,0.02485-0.05449,0.05135-0.07934,0.07934 c-6.65509,7.1508-6.65509,18.2282,0,25.379C5.17852,27.39687,5.43054,27.51003,5.69732,27.52333z"></path><path d="M27.88032,1.82833c-0.40419,0.41093-0.40419,1.07007,0,1.481 c5.94824,6.28858,5.94824,16.12842,0,22.417c-0.4304,0.36687-0.4819,1.01318-0.11502,1.44358 c0.36687,0.4304,1.01318,0.48189,1.44357,0.11502c0.02892-0.02465,0.05645-0.05089,0.08245-0.0786 c6.65498-7.19124,6.65498-18.29276,0-25.484C28.86527,1.38444,28.25111,1.43058,27.88032,1.82833z"></path><path d="M10.73632,6.07033c-0.33433-0.38991-0.92145-0.43497-1.31136-0.10064 C9.38889,6.00061,9.35524,6.03426,9.32432,6.07033c-4.33435,4.79731-4.33435,12.09669,0,16.894 c0.33348,0.38991,0.91991,0.43566,1.30983,0.10218c0.03666-0.03136,0.07082-0.06552,0.10217-0.10218 c0.40381-0.42466,0.40381-1.09134,0-1.516c-3.52926-3.90546-3.52926-9.84853,0-13.754 C11.13926,7.22798,11.13926,6.53668,10.73632,6.07033z"></path><path d="M24.95632,6.07033c-0.33348-0.38991-0.91991-0.43566-1.30983-0.10217 c-0.03666,0.03135-0.07082,0.06551-0.10217,0.10217c-0.40444,0.4248-0.40444,1.0922,0,1.517 c3.52903,3.90747,3.52903,9.85153,0,13.759c-0.40444,0.4248-0.40444,1.0922,0,1.517 c0.33348,0.38991,0.91991,0.43566,1.30983,0.10217c0.03666-0.03135,0.07082-0.06551,0.10217-0.10217 C29.29216,18.10527,29.29216,10.82838,24.95632,6.07033z"></path></g></g><path d="M876.92633,55.25533c-0.44879-0.30155-1.05707-0.18219-1.35864,0.26659 c-0.10779,0.16042-0.16565,0.34914-0.16638,0.54241v6.5c0.00201,0.54068,0.44189,0.97738,0.9826,0.97539 c0.19324-0.00071,0.38196-0.05861,0.54242-0.16639l4.88501-3.267c0.45532-0.30065,0.58075-0.91352,0.28009-1.36887 c-0.07349-0.11133-0.16876-0.20662-0.28009-0.28012L876.92633,55.25533z"></path></g></g></svg> <span class="Hear_hd-listen-txt__0PZT1">LISTEN LIVE<span class="Hear_hd-listen-prg__Hn76z">: <!-- -->Loadg...</span></span></div><div class="Hear_hd-donate__grydT"><a data-ec="Navigatn - Sticky Hear" data-el="Donate Heart" data-ea="Click" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="><svg role="img" width="23" class="in in-heart" viewBox="0 0 32 28"><tle>Heart</tle><path d="M16 5s-.516-1.531-1.49-2.51c-1.534-1.542-3.663-2.49-6.01-2.49s-4.472.951-6.01 2.49c-1.539 1.538-2.49 3.663-2.49 6.01s.951 4.472 2.49 6.01l13.51 13.49 13.51-13.49c1.539-1.538 2.49-3.663 2.49-6.01s-.951-4.472-2.49-6.01c-1.538-1.538-3.663-2.49-6.01-2.49s-4.476.948-6.01 2.49c-.974.979-1.49 2.51-1.49 2.51z"></path></svg> <span>DONATE</span></a></div></div></div><div class="Hear_lorbar__OxXNt"></div></div><div class="Hear_hd-ner__jlWFt"><div class="Hear_hd-top__sWhZr"><div class="Hear_hd-top-left__pBjzQ"><div class="Hear_hd-top-left-ner__SVbcU"><div class="Hear_hd-hbg__4ze3S"><button class="Hear_hamburger___eZbd Hear_hamburger--squeeze__DpnnG" type="button"><span class="Hear_hamburger-box__EH233"><span class="Hear_hamburger-ner__EP1gQ"></span></span></button></div><div class="Hear_hd-logo__OnBv_"><a href="/"><span class="sr-only">WBUR</span><svg id="hd-logo" role="img" width="102" class="in-logo" viewBox="0 0 82 25.9" aria-hidn="te"><tle>WBUR</tle><sc>90.0 WBUR - Boston's NPR News Statn</sc><path d="M9.4,25.2H7.6l-5-13.8H0.3V10h9.6v1.4H7.7l2.6,7.4l3.5-8.9h1.9l3.8,8.7l1.7-5.5c0-0.2,0.2-0.7,0.2-1.1c0-0.5-0.2-0.7-1-0.7 h-1.2V10h6.4v1.4h-1.2c-0.8,0-1.2,0.8-1.5,1.7L19,25.2H17l-4-9.2L9.4,25.2z"></path><path d="M36.1,11.5c-1.5,0-2.3,0.8-2.9,2.4c-0.2,1.1-0.4,2-0.4,3.5c0,1.6,0.2,2.6,0.4,3.6c0.7,1.6,1.5,2.4,2.9,2.4 c2.4,0,2.4-2.5,2.4-6C38.5,14,38.5,11.5,36.1,11.5 M37.2,25.5c-1.8,0-3.3-0.8-4.3-2.5v2.2h-7.5v-1.4h2.4V1.9h-2.5V0.5h7.6v11.6 c1-1.7,2.6-2.5,4.4-2.5c4.2,0,6.6,3.3,6.6,7.9C43.8,22,41.2,25.5,37.2,25.5"></path><path d="M65,25.2h-7.6v-2.3c-0.7,1.3-2.4,2.6-5,2.6c-3.4,0-5-2.2-5-4.4v-2v-7.7h-2.4V10h7.6v10.9c0,1.8,0.5,2.6,1.8,2.6 c1.3,0,2.9-1.9,2.9-4.2v-7.9h-2.5V10h7.7v13.7H65V25.2z"></path><path d="M79.1,15.9c-1.6,0-2.7-1-2.7-2.3c0-1,0.5-1.2,0.5-1.6c0-0.1-0.1-0.2-0.3-0.2c-0.8,0-2.9,2.2-2.9,5.4v6.5h2.8v1.4H66.2v-1.4 h2.4V11.4h-2.4V10h7.4v2.9c1.3-2.6,3.2-3.2,4.7-3.2c2.1,0,3.5,1.4,3.5,3.2C81.7,14.6,80.7,15.9,79.1,15.9"></path></svg></a></div><div id="label" class="Hear_hd-label__fZcEt"><a href="/rad/programs/hereandnow">Here & Now</a></div></div></div><div class="Hear_hd-top-right__L0_7c"><div class="Hear_hd-listen__2UqLZ"><svg id="listen-live-head" width="29" class="listen-live-in" role="img" viewBox="0 0 34.28256 29.03624"><g><g transform="translate(-860.718 -45)"><g transform="translate(860.718 45)"><g><path d="M5.69732,27.52333c0.27107,0.00607,0.53043-0.11038,0.706-0.317 c0.403-0.41103,0.403-1.06897,0-1.48c-5.94937-6.28852-5.94937-16.12948,0-22.418c0.40365-0.41115,0.40365-1.06985,0-1.481 C6.05723,1.43741,5.46058,1.40189,5.07066,1.74798c-0.028,0.02485-0.05449,0.05135-0.07934,0.07934 c-6.65509,7.1508-6.65509,18.2282,0,25.379C5.17852,27.39687,5.43054,27.51003,5.69732,27.52333z"></path><path d="M27.88032,1.82833c-0.40419,0.41093-0.40419,1.07007,0,1.481 c5.94824,6.28858,5.94824,16.12842,0,22.417c-0.4304,0.36687-0.4819,1.01318-0.11502,1.44358 c0.36687,0.4304,1.01318,0.48189,1.44357,0.11502c0.02892-0.02465,0.05645-0.05089,0.08245-0.0786 c6.65498-7.19124,6.65498-18.29276,0-25.484C28.86527,1.38444,28.25111,1.43058,27.88032,1.82833z"></path><path d="M10.73632,6.07033c-0.33433-0.38991-0.92145-0.43497-1.31136-0.10064 C9.38889,6.00061,9.35524,6.03426,9.32432,6.07033c-4.33435,4.79731-4.33435,12.09669,0,16.894 c0.33348,0.38991,0.91991,0.43566,1.30983,0.10218c0.03666-0.03136,0.07082-0.06552,0.10217-0.10218 c0.40381-0.42466,0.40381-1.09134,0-1.516c-3.52926-3.90546-3.52926-9.84853,0-13.754 C11.13926,7.22798,11.13926,6.53668,10.73632,6.07033z"></path><path d="M24.95632,6.07033c-0.33348-0.38991-0.91991-0.43566-1.30983-0.10217 c-0.03666,0.03135-0.07082,0.06551-0.10217,0.10217c-0.40444,0.4248-0.40444,1.0922,0,1.517 c3.52903,3.90747,3.52903,9.85153,0,13.759c-0.40444,0.4248-0.40444,1.0922,0,1.517 c0.33348,0.38991,0.91991,0.43566,1.30983,0.10217c0.03666-0.03135,0.07082-0.06551,0.10217-0.10217 C29.29216,18.10527,29.29216,10.82838,24.95632,6.07033z"></path></g></g><path d="M876.92633,55.25533c-0.44879-0.30155-1.05707-0.18219-1.35864,0.26659 c-0.10779,0.16042-0.16565,0.34914-0.16638,0.54241v6.5c0.00201,0.54068,0.44189,0.97738,0.9826,0.97539 c0.19324-0.00071,0.38196-0.05861,0.54242-0.16639l4.88501-3.267c0.45532-0.30065,0.58075-0.91352,0.28009-1.36887 c-0.07349-0.11133-0.16876-0.20662-0.28009-0.28012L876.92633,55.25533z"></path></g></g></svg> <span class="Hear_hd-listen-txt__0PZT1">LISTEN LIVE<span class="Hear_hd-listen-prg__Hn76z">: <!-- -->Loadg...</span></span></div><div class="Hear_hd-donate__grydT"><a data-ec="Navigatn - Hear" data-el="Donate Heart" data-ea="Click" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="><svg role="img" width="23" class="in in-heart" viewBox="0 0 32 28"><tle>Heart</tle><path d="M16 5s-.516-1.531-1.49-2.51c-1.534-1.542-3.663-2.49-6.01-2.49s-4.472.951-6.01 2.49c-1.539 1.538-2.49 3.663-2.49 6.01s.951 4.472 2.49 6.01l13.51 13.49 13.51-13.49c1.539-1.538 2.49-3.663 2.49-6.01s-.951-4.472-2.49-6.01c-1.538-1.538-3.663-2.49-6.01-2.49s-4.476.948-6.01 2.49c-.974.979-1.49 2.51-1.49 2.51z"></path></svg> <span>DONATE</span></a></div></div></div><div class="Hear_hd-sectn-label__Vi9Op"><a href="/rad/programs/hereandnow">Here & Now</a></div><div class="Hear_lorbar__OxXNt"></div><nav class="Hear_hd-nav__HbonQ"><div class="Hear_hd-grad__kWJ2Y"></div><div class="Hear_hd-nav-lks__urJNo"><ul><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Subnavigatn" data-el="About" data-ea="Click" class="Hear_ufl__0jA_F" href="/rad/programs/hereandnow/about">About</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Subnavigatn" data-el="Meet The Staff" data-ea="Click" class="Hear_ufl__0jA_F" href="/rad/programs/hereandnow/staff">Meet The Staff</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Subnavigatn" data-el="Ways To Listen" data-ea="Click" class="Hear_ufl__0jA_F" href="/rad/programs/hereandnow/ways-to-listen">Ways To Listen</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Subnavigatn" data-el="Archive" data-ea="Click" class="Hear_ufl__0jA_F" href="/rad/programs/hereandnow/archive">Archive</a></li></ul></div></nav></div><div class="Hear_menu__SvLc0"><div class="Hear_menu-top__RawIE"><div class="Hear_menu-listen__lRj6X"><svg id="listen-live-menu" width="29" class="listen-live-in" role="img" viewBox="0 0 34.28256 29.03624"><g><g transform="translate(-860.718 -45)"><g transform="translate(860.718 45)"><g><path d="M5.69732,27.52333c0.27107,0.00607,0.53043-0.11038,0.706-0.317 c0.403-0.41103,0.403-1.06897,0-1.48c-5.94937-6.28852-5.94937-16.12948,0-22.418c0.40365-0.41115,0.40365-1.06985,0-1.481 C6.05723,1.43741,5.46058,1.40189,5.07066,1.74798c-0.028,0.02485-0.05449,0.05135-0.07934,0.07934 c-6.65509,7.1508-6.65509,18.2282,0,25.379C5.17852,27.39687,5.43054,27.51003,5.69732,27.52333z"></path><path d="M27.88032,1.82833c-0.40419,0.41093-0.40419,1.07007,0,1.481 c5.94824,6.28858,5.94824,16.12842,0,22.417c-0.4304,0.36687-0.4819,1.01318-0.11502,1.44358 c0.36687,0.4304,1.01318,0.48189,1.44357,0.11502c0.02892-0.02465,0.05645-0.05089,0.08245-0.0786 c6.65498-7.19124,6.65498-18.29276,0-25.484C28.86527,1.38444,28.25111,1.43058,27.88032,1.82833z"></path><path d="M10.73632,6.07033c-0.33433-0.38991-0.92145-0.43497-1.31136-0.10064 C9.38889,6.00061,9.35524,6.03426,9.32432,6.07033c-4.33435,4.79731-4.33435,12.09669,0,16.894 c0.33348,0.38991,0.91991,0.43566,1.30983,0.10218c0.03666-0.03136,0.07082-0.06552,0.10217-0.10218 c0.40381-0.42466,0.40381-1.09134,0-1.516c-3.52926-3.90546-3.52926-9.84853,0-13.754 C11.13926,7.22798,11.13926,6.53668,10.73632,6.07033z"></path><path d="M24.95632,6.07033c-0.33348-0.38991-0.91991-0.43566-1.30983-0.10217 c-0.03666,0.03135-0.07082,0.06551-0.10217,0.10217c-0.40444,0.4248-0.40444,1.0922,0,1.517 c3.52903,3.90747,3.52903,9.85153,0,13.759c-0.40444,0.4248-0.40444,1.0922,0,1.517 c0.33348,0.38991,0.91991,0.43566,1.30983,0.10217c0.03666-0.03135,0.07082-0.06551,0.10217-0.10217 C29.29216,18.10527,29.29216,10.82838,24.95632,6.07033z"></path></g></g><path d="M876.92633,55.25533c-0.44879-0.30155-1.05707-0.18219-1.35864,0.26659 c-0.10779,0.16042-0.16565,0.34914-0.16638,0.54241v6.5c0.00201,0.54068,0.44189,0.97738,0.9826,0.97539 c0.19324-0.00071,0.38196-0.05861,0.54242-0.16639l4.88501-3.267c0.45532-0.30065,0.58075-0.91352,0.28009-1.36887 c-0.07349-0.11133-0.16876-0.20662-0.28009-0.28012L876.92633,55.25533z"></path></g></g></svg> <span>Listen Live</span></div><div class="Hear_menu-search__BXBvf"><a href="/search"><svg width="24" class="in in-search" role="img" viewBox="0 0 22.51129 22.5113"><tle>Search</tle><g><path d="M9.2473,14.38829c2.83929,0,5.141-2.3017,5.141-5.141c0-2.8393-2.3017-5.141-5.141-5.141 c-2.83929,0-5.141,2.3017-5.141,5.141v0C4.1063,12.08659,6.408,14.38829,9.2473,14.38829z M17.08229,14.17429l5.429,5.429 l-2.908,2.908l-5.429-5.429c-4.32499,2.71894-10.03522,1.41698-12.75416-2.908S0.00315,4.13908,4.32814,1.42014 s10.03522-1.41698,12.75416,2.908C18.97419,7.33755,18.97419,11.16488,17.08229,14.17429z"></path></g></svg></a></div></div><nav class="Hear_menu-lks__xB1qP"><div class="Hear_menu-lks-group__CIxgZ Hear_menu-lks-sectns__VtyQE"><h4>Sectns</h4><ul><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Lol Coverage" data-ea="Click" href="/news">Lol Coverage</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Arts & Culture" data-ea="Click" href="/news/sectn/arts-culture">Arts & Culture</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Bs" data-ea="Click" href="/news/sectn/bs">Bs</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Edutn" data-ea="Click" href="/news/sectn/tn">Edutn</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Environment" data-ea="Click" href="/news/sectn/environment">Environment</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Health" data-ea="Click" href="/news/sectn/health">Health</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Invtigatns" data-ea="Click" href="/news/sectn/vtigatns">Invtigatns</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Cognoscenti" data-ea="Click" href="/opn/sectn/gnoscenti">Cognoscenti</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Boston News Quiz" data-ea="Click" href="/quiz">Boston News Quiz</a></li></ul></div><div class="Hear_menu-lks-group__CIxgZ Hear_menu-lks-rad__c_P2l"><h4>Rad</h4><ul><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="On-Air Schle" data-ea="Click" href="/rad/schle">On-Air Schle</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Morng Edn" data-ea="Click" href="/rad/programs/morngedn">Morng Edn</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="On Pot" data-ea="Click" href="/rad/programs/onpot">On Pot</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Rad Boston" data-ea="Click" href="/rad/programs/radboston">Rad Boston</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Here & Now" data-ea="Click" href="/rad/programs/hereandnow">Here & Now</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="All Thgs Consired" data-ea="Click" href="/rad/programs/all-thgs-nsired">All Thgs Consired</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Ways To Listen " data-ea="Click" href="/ways-to-listen">Ways To Listen </a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="All Rad Programs" data-ea="Click" href="/rad">All Rad Programs</a></li></ul></div><div class="Hear_menu-lks-group__CIxgZ Hear_menu-lks-podsts__8IbkR"><h4>Podsts</h4><ul><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="The Common" data-ea="Click" href="/podsts/the-mon">The Common</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Endls Thread" data-ea="Click" href="/podsts/endlsthread">Endls Thread</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Circle Round" data-ea="Click" href="/podsts/circleround">Circle Round</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Vlatn" data-ea="Click" href=">Vlatn</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Last Seen" data-ea="Click" href="/podsts/lastseen">Last Seen</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Anythg For Selena" data-ea="Click" href="/podsts/anythgforselena">Anythg For Selena</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="All Podsts" data-ea="Click" href="/podsts">All Podsts</a></li></ul></div><div class="Hear_menu-lks-group__CIxgZ Hear_menu-lks-cyspace__CT5HQ"><h4>CySpace</h4><ul><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Event Calendar" data-ea="Click" href="/events">Event Calendar</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Watch Past Events" data-ea="Click" href="/events/browse?archive">Watch Past Events</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Rentals" data-ea="Click" href="/events/rent-cyspace">Rentals</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Events Newsletter" data-ea="Click" href="/events/newsletter">Events Newsletter</a></li></ul></div><div class="Hear_menu-lks-group__CIxgZ Hear_menu-lks-support__hHX_2"><h4>Support</h4><ul><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Make A Donatn" data-ea="Click" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href=">Make A Donatn</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Bee A Member" data-ea="Click" href="/membership/605748/members">Bee A Member</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Member Servic" data-ea="Click" href="/membership">Member Servic</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Donate Your Car" data-ea="Click" href="/membership/605928/donate-your-r">Donate Your Car</a></li><li><a data-ec="Navigatn - Menu" data-el="Jo The Murrow Society" data-ea="Click" href="/murrowsociety">Jo The Murrow Society</a></li></ul></div></nav><div class="sub subscribe-menu"><div class="sub-ner"><div class="sub-left"><h4>Subscribe to our weekday newsletter</h4><p>Add WBUR to your morng route</p></div><div class="sub-mid"><div class="sub-validatn dn">The email addrs entered is valid</div><put id="subscribe-menu" class="sub-form" type="text" placeholr="Your Email Addrs"/><svg class="in-right" viewBox="0 0 12 12"><g><polyle fill="none" stroke-width="1.25" stroke-lep="round" stroke-lejo="round" stroke-merlim="10" pots="6.4,1.6 11.2,5.6 6.4,10.4 "></polyle><le fill="none" stroke-width="1.25" stroke-lep="round" stroke-lejo="round" stroke-merlim="10" x1="11.2" y1="5.6" x2="0.8" y2="5.6"></le></g></svg><svg class="spner dn" viewBox="0 0 100 100" prerveAspectRat="xMidYMid"><circle cx="50" cy="50" r="32" stroke-width="8" stroke="#3F84D9" stroke-dasharray="50.26548245743669 50.26548245743669" fill="none" stroke-lep="round" transform="rotate(39.3336 50 50)"><animateTransform attributeName="transform" type="rotate" repeatCount="fe" dur="1s" keyTim="0;1" valu="0 50 50;360 50 50"></animateTransform></circle></svg></div><div class="sub-right"><span class="sub-msage">It’s Boston lol news one ncise, fun and rmative email</span><span class="sub-succs dn">Thank you! You have been subscribed to WBUR Today.</span><span class="sub-error dn">We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. You n try<!-- --> <a href="/newsletters">subscribg here</a> or try aga later.</span></div></div></div></div></hear><article class="article" data-rid="793585" data-rtype="story"><div id="gtm-visibily-50" class="gtm-pixel"></div><div id="gtm-visibily-75" class="gtm-pixel"></div><div id="gtm-visibily-100" class="gtm-pixel"></div><sectn class="sectn--breakout sectn--uw sectn--first sectn--learboard"><div class="uw uw--rponsive"><div class="uw-ner"><p class="uw-label">Advertisement</p><div class="uw-ntent uw-ntent--centered"><div style="width:300px;height:50px"></div></div></div></div></sectn><hear class="article-sectn--tle article-sectn--island article-sectn--has-d"><div class="article-actn"><h1 class="article-hdr">R.K. Rsell reflects on the NFL's relatnship wh LGBTQ+ players, 3 years after g out as bi</h1><span class="d-meta"><span class="article-d-duratn" aria-label="Aud Duratn">10:48</span><div class="article-d-opts"><a href=" class="article-d-dl" tle="Download the d" download="" role="button" tabx="0"><svg class="in in-download" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-labelledby="tle"><tle id="tle">Download Aud</tle><path class="path1" d="M15 2q1.828 0 3.496 0.715t2.871 1.918 1.918 2.871 0.715 3.496q0 1.992-0.82 3.766t-2.266 3.027-3.281 1.816l0.492-0.484q0.422-0.43 0.656-1 0.219-0.531 0.219-1.156 0-0.156-0.008-0.219 1.391-0.969 2.199-2.48t0.809-3.27q0-1.422-0.555-2.719t-1.492-2.234-2.234-1.492-2.719-0.555q-1.297 0-2.496 0.465t-2.109 1.262-1.523 1.906-0.793 2.367h-2.078q-1.656 0-2.828 1.172t-1.172 2.828q0 0.906 0.355 1.68t0.934 1.27 1.285 0.773 1.426 0.277h1.172q0.273 0.687 0.703 1.125l0.883 0.875h-2.758q-1.633 0-3.012-0.805t-2.184-2.184-0.805-3.012 0.805-3.012 2.184-2.184 3.012-0.805h0.516q0.617-1.742 1.859-3.098t2.973-2.129 3.652-0.773zM13 10q0.414 0 0.707 0.293t0.293 0.707v6.586l1.289-1.297q0.289-0.289 0.711-0.289 0.43 0 0.715 0.285t0.285 0.715q0 0.422-0.289 0.711l-3 3q-0.289 0.289-0.711 0.289t-0.711-0.289l-3-3q-0.289-0.305-0.289-0.711 0-0.414 0.293-0.707t0.707-0.293q0.422 0 0.711 0.289l1.289 1.297v-6.586q0-0.414 0.293-0.707t0.707-0.293z"></path></svg></a><button class="d-embed modal--toggle" tle="Embed on your webse"><svg class="in in-embed" viewBox="0 0 108 108" aria-labelledby="tle"><tle id="tle">Embed on your webse</tle><g><path d="M0,57.6l31,13.8v-9L9.6,54.3l-0.7-0.1v-0.2l0.7-0.1L31,45.6v-9L0,50.4V57.6z M37.3,87.5h8.3l24.1-67h-8.3L37.3,87.5z M75.9,36.6v8.9l22.4,8.2l0.7,0.2l0,0.2l-0.7,0.1l-22.4,8.4v8.9L108,57.6v-7.2L75.9,36.6z"></path></g></svg></button><div id="embed-player-modal" class="modal"><button class="modal-close modal--toggle" type="button"><span class="sr-only">Close</span><span aria-hidn="te">×</span></button><div class="modal-ner"><h3>Copy the below to embed the WBUR d player on your se</h3><p><textarea id="embed-player-"><iame width="100%" height="124" scrollg="no" ameborr="no" src=";</textarea></p><button class="modal-btn-py">Copy embed </button></div></div></div></span><a class="rd-actn playable" style="text-ratn:none" tle="Rume" tabx="0"><i class="in-play in-play--article"><span class="in-play-shape"><span class="in-label" data-note="for-screen-rears">Rume</span></span></i></a></div><div class="article-meta"><span class="article-meta-em--date"><span tle="Tuday, Augt 9th 2022, 11:47:23 am">Augt 09, 2022</span></span><ul class="article-meta-em--thorlist article-meta-group"><li class="article-meta-em article-meta-em--thor"><a class="article-meta-lk article-meta-em--thor" href="/si/staff/celte-headlee">Celte Headlee</a></li><li class="article-meta-em article-meta-em--thor"><a class="article-meta-lk article-meta-em--thor" href="/si/staff/thomas-danielian">Thomas Danielian</a></li><li class="article-meta-em article-meta-em--thor"><a class="article-meta-lk article-meta-em--thor" href="/si/staff/jeante-muhammad">Jeante Muhammad</a></li></ul><div class="article-share article-share-ins"><a href=" & target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="article-share-lk" tle="Share on Facebook"><svg class="in in-facebook" viewBox="0 0 128 128" role="img" width="24" aria-labelledby="tle"><tle id="tle">facebook</tle><path display="le" d="M120.1,0H8.2c-4.4,0-8,3.6-8,8v112c0,4.4,3.6,8,8,8h60.4V78.2h-16V59.8h16V43.9 c0-14.6,8.9-24.3,26.4-24.3c7.7,0,13.1,0.9,13.1,0.9V37h-12c-5.3,0-8,3-8,8.2v14.5h18.7l-2.7,18.4h-16v49.7h32c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8V8 C128.1,3.6,124.5,0,120.1,0z"></path></svg></a><a href="mailto:?body=R.K. Rsell reflects on the NFL's relatnship wh LGBTQ+ players, 3 years after g out as R.K. Rsell reflects on the NFL's relatnship wh LGBTQ+ players, 3 years after g out as bi" class="article-share-lk" tle="Share by email"><svg class="in in-email" viewBox="0 0 128 128" width="20" aria-labelledby="tle"><tle id="tle">Email</tle><path display="le" d="M64.2,86.3l-64-48V104c0,4.4,3.6,8,8,8h112c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8V38.4L64.2,86.3z M64.2,72l64-48 c0-4.4-3.6-8-8-8H8.2c-4.4,0-8,3.6-8,8L64.2,72z"></path></svg></a></div></div></hear><sectn class="article-sectn--lead-image article-sectn--lead-image--standard"><figure class="article-fig" style="aspect-rat:1000 / 667"><picture class="article-fig-ner"><img class="article-image" src=" alt="R.K. Rsell speaks onstage durg A Night of Pri wh GLAAD and NFL on Febary 10, 2022 Los Angel, California. (Rich Polk/Getty Imag for GLAAD)"/></picture><figptn class="article-fig-ptn">R.K. Rsell speaks onstage durg A Night of Pri wh GLAAD and NFL on Febary 10, 2022 Los Angel, California. (Rich Polk/Getty Imag for GLAAD)</figptn></figure></sectn><sectn class="article-sectn--ntent hang-punctuatn article-sectn--first article-sectn--centered"><p class="">When Las Vegas Rairs football player Carl Nassib me out as gay last summer, he received praise for his honty and bravery. But spe supportive ial reactns, the first openly gay active player NFL history is now whout a team.</p><p class="">He’s not alone. Former NFL player <a href=">R.K. Rsell</a> also found himself teamls and stgglg to fd a new one after g out as bisexual. When he ma the announcement Augt 2019, Rsell felt exced at first but also aaid of the rponse he would receive.</p><p class="nt-medium">“There's also the fear that beg the first active person to e out, that I won't sign another team. A fear that my lleagu won't unrstand, that I'll be shunned om the NFL, a league that is known to be very mascule, a manly man sport and tough,” Rsell says. “And a lot of the tim, culture tells that LGBTQ+ people aren't those thgs.”</p><p class="">Those fears were later found when Rsell’s opportuni wh the NFL evaporated. In an op-ed for <a href=">The Guardian</a> earlier this year, Rsell wrote that more attentn should be given to how players are treated after g out stead of only focg on their announcement.</p><p class="">Instanc of homophobia stadiums, locker rooms and fandom still perlate. One example Rsell pots to is former Las Vegas Rairs ach Jon Gn, whose misogynistic, racist and homophobic emails om 2010 to 2018 were tailed by <a href=">The New York Tim 2021</a>. While some wh the NFL say Gn is an outlier, Rsell disagre.</p><p class="nt-medium">“Even if this isn't a thread throughout the NFL or throughout male profsnal sports or leagu, 's somethg that's beg tolerated. It's somethg that's beg pacified,” Rsell says. “And a lot of the tim tolerance is even worse.”</p><p class="">Back 2019, queer former NFL player <a href=">Ryan O’Callahan</a> said there was at least one player on every NFL team who is gay or bisexual. Rsell remembers beg that posn but also unrstands NFL players are privileged. Many LGBTQ+ youth may not be able to e out at the risk of vlence, he says. A recent survey om <a href=">The Trevor Project</a> revealed that nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth serly nsired suici the past year. The survey also found anxiety and prsn were strongly prevalent among queer youth.</p><p class="">For LGBTQ+ kids hopg to bee NFL players, Rsell says he would tell them they n be whatever they want, echog a lson his mother tght him at a young age.</p><p class="nt-medium">“The person that you are is only fed by you,” he says. “There are people this league and this world that are jt like you.”</p><p class="">Sce leavg the NFL, Rsell says his life has been better than any year he spent the league. While there are still moments he wish he uld play, he says he’s proud of the person he is now.</p><p class="nt-medium">“At the end of the day, I loved what I did but I didn't love myself. I loved the guys my locker room, I loved that mararie and that brotherhood, but I didn't love me,” he says. “And that blocked any happs that I uld have got om playg football.”</p><hr/><p class=""><em><a href="> Thomas Danielian</a> produced and eded this terview for broadst wh <a href=">Todd Mundt</a>. <a href=">Jeante Muhammad</a> adapted for the web.</em></p></sectn><sectn class="article-sectn--story-group article-sectn--centered"><p class=""><em>This segment aired on Augt 9, 2022.</em></p></sectn><sectn class="article-sectn--story-group article-sectn--centered Tags_article-sectn--tags__NOKiB"><a data-ec="Article Tags" data-el="Here & Now: Edors' Picks" data-ea="Click" class="article-tag" href="/rad/programs/hereandnow/tag/here-and-now-edors-picks">Here & Now: Edors' Picks</a></sectn></article><sectn class="article-sectn--story-group article-sectn--centered"><div class="ntributor has-photo"><div class="ntributor-profile"><figure class="ntributor-profile-em ntributor-photo"><a href="/si/staff/celte-headlee"><picture><img src=" class="lazy rd-image" alt=""/></picture></a></figure><p class="ntributor-profile-em ntributor-b"><a class="ntributor-name" href="/si/staff/celte-headlee">Celte Headlee</a> <span class="ntributor-tle">Gut Host, Here & Now</span><br/>Celte Headlee is a gut host on Here & Now, wrer, journalist and thor of "Speakg of Race: Why Everybody Needs to Talk About Racism — and How to Do It."</p><p class="ntributor-more"><a class="ntributor-lk ntributor-b-lk" href="/si/staff/celte-headlee">More…</a></p></div></div><div class="ntributor has-photo"><div class="ntributor-profile"><figure class="ntributor-profile-em ntributor-photo"><a href="/si/staff/thomas-danielian"><picture><img src=" class="lazy rd-image" alt=""/></picture></a></figure><p class="ntributor-profile-em ntributor-b"><a class="ntributor-name" href="/si/staff/thomas-danielian">Thomas Danielian</a> <span class="ntributor-tle">Associate Producer, Here & Now</span><br/>Thomas Danielian is an associate producer for Here & Now.</p><p class="ntributor-more"><a class="ntributor-lk ntributor-b-lk" href="/si/staff/thomas-danielian">More…</a></p></div></div><div class="ntributor has-photo"><div class="ntributor-profile"><figure class="ntributor-profile-em ntributor-photo"><a href="/si/staff/jeante-muhammad"><picture><img src=" class="lazy rd-image" alt=""/></picture></a></figure><p class="ntributor-profile-em ntributor-b"><a class="ntributor-name" href="/si/staff/jeante-muhammad">Jeante Muhammad</a> <span class="ntributor-tle">Freelance Associate Producer, Here & Now</span><br/>Jeante Muhammad is a eelance assistant producer for Here & Now.</p><p class="ntributor-more"><a class="ntributor-lk ntributor-b-lk" href="/si/staff/jeante-muhammad">More…</a></p></div></div></sectn><sectn class="sectn--breakout sectn--uw"><div class="uw uw--rponsive"><div class="uw-ner"><p class="uw-label">Advertisement</p><div class="uw-ntent uw-ntent--centered"><div style="width:300px;height:50px"></div></div></div></div></sectn><div></div><div class="global-d-ponents onmand--is-playg"><div class="global-player"><d preload="to"></d><div class="global-player-bar"><div class="global-player-bar-left"><button class="global-player-bar-ntrol"><i class="in-play in-play--global-player-bar in-play--psed"><span class="in-play-shape"><span class="in-label" data-note="for-screen-rears">Rume</span></span></i></button><div class="global-player-label global-player-label--live"><div class="global-player-channel"><span>Listen Live</span></div><div class="global-player-tle"><a class="global-player-label-lk" href="/">Loadg...</a></div></div></div><div class="global-player-bar-right"><div class="global-player-x"><svg class="in in-close" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-labelledby="tle"><tle id="tle">Close

gay russell

Ryan Rsell tells BBC Sport about g out as bisexual 2019 and his hop to be the first openly gay or bi man to play an NFL game.

Contents:

GAY RSELL

* gay russell *

(Rich Polk/Getty Imag for GLAAD)When Las Vegas Rairs football player Carl Nassib me out as gay last summer, he received praise for his honty and bravery. But spe supportive ial reactns, the first openly gay active player NFL history is now whout a ’s not alone. Instanc of homophobia stadiums, locker rooms and fandom still perlate.

One example Rsell pots to is former Las Vegas Rairs ach Jon Gn, whose misogynistic, racist and homophobic emails om 2010 to 2018 were tailed by The New York Tim 2021. ”Back 2019, queer former NFL player Ryan O’Callahan said there was at least one player on every NFL team who is gay or bisexual. It was maybe a transn - for people who were aaid to say they were gay.

"In the 101-year history of Amerin football's NFL, no openly gay or bisexual athlete has ever featured a regular-season game.

RSELL T. DAVI EXPLAS WHY HE ONLY CASTS GAY ACTORS GAY ROL

View Gay Rsell rults cludg current phone number, addrs, relativ, background check report, and property rerd wh Whepag. * gay russell *

"In llege, I thought, 'Am I turng gay? ' I know now that you don't turn gay, " he 6ft 5 footballer said any uncertaty he had about his own sexualy was put on hold when he was drafted by the Cowboys add: "The NFL lls and I get that ll om the Cowboys, and I thought: 'Well, if I was turng gay, I need to stop now. '"Wh no openly gay players the league, Rsell said he wasn't ready at the time to be the first bee of the uncertaty of what uld transpire.

GAY RSELL FOUND 54 PEOPLE FLORIDA, CALIFORNIA AND 34 OTHER STAT

Get Gay Rsell's ? ntact rmatn, ? phone numbers, ? home addrs, age, background check, whe pag, rum and CV, social media profil, work history, public rerds, plac of employment, photos and vios, skilled experts, arrt rerds and publitns * gay russell *

Some people wh that muny believe beg bisexual is jt a route to beg gay or lbian.

"'There's so much misogyny, which I believe is the root of homophobia' Ryan Rsell spoke at the annual Human Rights Campaign Natnal Dner 2019Rsell believ tacklg homophobia is a battle that n be won. Rsell said he if don't bee the first openly gay or bisexual player to feature the NFL, the first to do so uld be someone who is already out when drafted to the league. Michael Sam, who me out as gay while llege 2014 before he was drafted by the St Louis Rams, was close to beg the Sam only featured pre-season or practice squad gam for both the Rams and Dallas Cowboys.

*BEAR-MAGAZINE.COM* GAY RUSSELL

HOME | Rsell Gay.

TOP