Beg an out gay man and a soccer player is still somethg that’s greeted wh homophobia. See eight out and proud male gay footballers.
Contents:
- MEET THE 16 OUT GAY AND BI FOOTBALL PLAYERS THE NFL’S 103-YEAR HISTORY
- THE 39 CURRENT NFL PLAYERS HAVE ALL PLAYED WH AN OUT GAY TEAMMATE
- THERE HAVE BEEN 11 KNOWN GAY PLAYERS NFL HISTORY
- 8 MALE FOOTBALL PLAYERS WHO DARED TO COME OUT AS GAY
- 7 GAY NFL FOOTBALL PLAYERS
- JOSH CAVALLO: ONLY OPENLY GAY TOP-FLIGHT MALE FOOTBALLER SAYS FIFA’S ‘ONELOVE’ ARMBAND BAN HAS MA HIM FEEL ‘EXCLUD’
- EVERY NFL TEAM HAS GAY OR BI PLAYERS, SAYS FORMER PRO FOOTBALLERRYAN O'CALLAGHAN REPORTS REGULARLY HEARG OM CLOSETED PLAYERS WHO FEAR G {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY JEFF TAYLORAUGT 28, 2019/3:54 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:1696PX;WIDTH:2544PX;}SPORTG NEWS VIA GETTY IMAG VIA GETTY IMAGFOXBOROUGH, MA - NOVEMBER 12: TOM BRADY #12 AND RYAN O'CALLAGHAN #68 OF THE NEW ENGLAND PATRTS STAND ON THE FIELD DURG A GAME AGAST THE NEW YORK JETS ON NOVEMBER 12, 2006 AT GILLETTE STADIUM FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHETTS. (PHOTO BY SPORTG NEWS VIA GETTY IMAG VIA GETTY IMAG)BY JEFF TAYLORAUGT 28, 2019 / 3:54 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"EVERY NFL TEAM HAS GAY OR BI PLAYERS, SAYS FORMER PRO FOOTBALLER","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2019-08-28T19:54:26.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2019-08-28T19:54:26.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JEFF TAYLOR","KEYWORDS":"SPORTS","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE "PLENTY OF CLOSETED NFL PLAYERS" ACRDG TO FORMER NEW ENGLAND PATRTS AND KANSAS CY CHIEFS OFFENSIVE LEMAN RYAN O’CALLAGHAN, WHO PUBLICLY ME OUT AS GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}O'CALLAGHAN (ABOVE, WEARG NUMBER 68), WHO PLAYED THE NFL OM 2006 TO 2011, TOLD RTERS HE HEARS OM CURRENT CLOSETED PROFSNAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS ON A REGULAR BASIS.MICHAEL ZAGARIS/SAN FRANCIS 49ERS/GETTY IMAGKANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: ROBBIE GOULD #9 OF THE SAN FRANCIS 49ERS KICKS A FIELD GOAL DURG THE GAME AGAST THE KANSAS CY CHIEFS AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM ON AUGT 24, 2019 KANSAS CY, MISSOURI. THE 49ER FEATED THE BRONS 27-17. (PHOTO BY MICHAEL ZAGARIS/SAN FRANCIS 49ERS/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THK 'S SAFE TO SAY THERE'S AT LEAST ONE ON EVERY TEAM WHO IS EHER GAY OR BISEXUAL," HE SAID. "A LOT OF GUYS STILL SEE AS POTENTIALLY HAVG A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THEIR REER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE THKS MOST ARE WORRIED THEY ULD LOSE SPONSORSHIPS AND POSSIBLY EVEN THEIR SPOT ON A TEAM. HE ADD THAT NTRACT GUARANTE MIGHT HELP, BUT SAID HE DON'T THK ANYTHG WILL REALLY CHANGE UNTIL A HIGH PROFILE PLAYER WHO IS STILL THE LEAGUE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE A HANDFUL OF DIVIDUALS HAVE E OUT AFTER THEIR PLAYG DAYS ME TO AN END, LIKE O'CALLAGHAN, AND THOUGH MICHAEL SAM BEME THE FIRST OPENLY GAY PERSON DRAFTED BY AN NFL TEAM, THE LEAGUE HAS YET TO HAVE AN OPENLY GAY OR BISEXUAL ATHLETE PLAY A DOWN A REGULAR SEASON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAM WAS CUT BEFORE THE START OF THE REGULAR SEASON AND WENT ON TO PLAY FOR THE MONTREAL ALOUETT, MAKG HIM THE FIRST OPENLY GAY PLAYER THE CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE. HE RETIRED 2015.SPORTG NEWS VIA GETTY IMAG VIA GETTY IMAGEAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 24: NEW ORLEANS SATS QUARTERBACK DREW BRE (9) LOOKS TO PASS THE BALL DURG THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE NATNAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREASON GAME BETWEEN THE NEW ORLEANS SATS AND THE NEW YORK JETS ON AUGT 24, 2019, AT METLIFE STADIUM EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ. (PHOTO BY GREGORY FISHER/IN SPORTSWIRE VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}O'CALLAGHAN STGGLED WH PRSN, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, AND AN ADDICTN TO PAKILLERS, WHICH HE WAS HELPED THROUGH BY A CHIEFS' PSYCHOLOGIST. THAT SAME PSYCHOLOGIST ALSO HELPED HIM FD THE STRENGTH TO E OUT TO HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I JT DON'T THK PEOPLE UNRSTAND THE REALY," HE SAID. "WE N STILL GET FIRED FOR BEG GAY OR NIED SERVIC FOR BEG TRANS."WLEY HT/GETTY IMAGKANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 20: RYAN O'CALLAGHAN #75 OF THE KANSAS CY CHIEFS ON THE SIL DURG A GAME AGAST THE OAKLAND RAIRS AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2009 KANSAS CY, MISSOURI. THE RAIRS FEATED THE CHIEFS 13-10. (PHOTO BY WLEY HT/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}O'CALLAGHAN DURG HIS PLAYG DAYS WH THE KANSAS CY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS UPG BOOK, MY LIFE ON THE LE: HOW THE NFL DAMN NEAR KILLED ME AND END UP SAVG MY LIFE, AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 3, OUTL HIS STGGL AND HIS JOURNEY THROUGH THEM TO THE SELF-ACCEPTANCE HE HAS SCE BEEN ABLE TO DISVER WH HIMSELF. PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS SUPPORTG THE RYAN O'CALLAGHAN FOUNDATN, WHICH HE SET UP TO PROVI SCHOLARSHIPS AND MENTORSHIP TO YOUNG LGBTQ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"YOU HAVE TO EXPLA TO [THEM], 'YOU'RE GOG TO N TO SOME IGNORANT PEOPLE, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE FAH THAT THEY'LL TCH UP TO THE RT OF THE WORLD AND UNRSTAND YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE,'" HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
- HERE ARE EIGHT OUT AND PROUD MALE GAY FOOTBALLERS
MEET THE 16 OUT GAY AND BI FOOTBALL PLAYERS THE NFL’S 103-YEAR HISTORY
Carl Nassib is the first to ever play a down as openly gay, but the rt are still trailblazers. * there any gay football players *
The NFL has played for more than 100 years and there have been 16 gay or bi players to e out publicly. 16 and the first one to e out as gay while on an active roster.
THE 39 CURRENT NFL PLAYERS HAVE ALL PLAYED WH AN OUT GAY TEAMMATE
Players on 22 NFL teams have already had an out gay teammate, cludg six players wh the Arizona Cardals. * there any gay football players *
Over the years, Outsports has known of a few other players who are gay but have never e out, even when retired. The NFL Network produced a documentary on Smh beg gay.
Jenks is gay and this was the the first time he wily discsed his sexual orientatn. In June, Carl Nassib of the Rairs me out as gay.
Some people still believe that the NFL is a “homophobic” monolh where ’s “dangero” to be gay.
THERE HAVE BEEN 11 KNOWN GAY PLAYERS NFL HISTORY
In 1990, Jt Fashanu beme the first football player to publicly e out as gay. Sce then, only seventeen players have done the same. * there any gay football players *
Dpe Outsports chroniclg lerally dozens of piec of evince to the ntrary, there’s a ntued belief amongst some that NFL players would overwhelmgly reject a gay player if he me out. So we set out to figure out how many current NFL players have already played on the same team wh an out gay teammate. We found 39 current NFL players, who were on a roster for the 2020 season, who have already had an out gay teammate.
In addn, dozens of other players have played agast an opponent they knew to be gay. Those gay athlet are all still alive today. The 39 current NFL players have played wh at least five gay or bisexual men who were out to their team while they were on the same team.
The Arizona Cardals have the most players we know have played wh an out gay teammate. At least six of the players on the Cardals’ 2020 roster — about 10% of the team, — has already had a gay teammate they knew of. And they have llectively played llege wh all five out gay players.
8 MALE FOOTBALL PLAYERS WHO DARED TO COME OUT AS GAY
Josh Cavallo, the only openly gay top-flight male soccer player the sport, has told CNN that FIFA’s cisn to ban players om wearg “OneLove” armbands at the Qatar 2022 has ma him feel “exclud.” * there any gay football players *
Wh that experience, solid veteran learship, a ach Kliff Kgsbury who has ld gay football player Stt Frantz, and a ont office that has monstrated an embrace of LGBTQ people, is easy to make the se that an out gay player wh the Cardals would be weled.
Of urse many other NFL players have played wh a gay or bi teammate before they me out (e. The are the current NFL players to have played wh an out gay or bi man on their team (wh that team and their current team listed):. If you thk I’ve missed a current NFL player who’s played wh an out gay or bi teammate, be sure to leave the rmatn the ments below.
Perkz/@rlnassib/@rkrelentls)When Kansas State offensive tackle and NFL hopeful Stt Frantz me out to the natn as gay, he shared that his teammat (to whom he'd e out earlier) had warmly received the news, a sign the most alpha of locker rooms may fally be ready for equaly.
7 GAY NFL FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Here's a list of players llege and pro ball who have proved you n be gay or bi and still n the gntlet. Roy "Sugar Bear" Simmons, an offensive leman for the New York Giants and Washgton Redsks, beme the send NFL player ever to publicly reveal he was gay. So Coach Vce Lombardi knew McDonald was gay when he took over learship of the team 1969, but ma clear there would be no discrimatn his locker room, those close to the legend say.
Cornerback Wa Davis, who played preason wh the Tennsee Tans, Seattle Seahawks and Washgton Redsks and spent two seasons wh NFL Europe teams Berl Thunr and Barcelona Dragons, me out as gay 2012, nearly a after his retirement.
JOSH CAVALLO: ONLY OPENLY GAY TOP-FLIGHT MALE FOOTBALLER SAYS FIFA’S ‘ONELOVE’ ARMBAND BAN HAS MA HIM FEEL ‘EXCLUD’
He would later nfirm his sexualy on CNN and s down wh ESPN to discs the challeng of growg up gay Jamai and playg football while closeted.
He later cled to sign wh the Tennsee Tans and Dallas Cowboys before g out as gay at 24, he told Philalphia Magaze revealed to the magaze that he'd dated a male cheerlear at Purdue who had threatened to out him then. He would later move to San Francis and jo the Fog, a gay gby team, and pen a g-out blog post 2015.
EVERY NFL TEAM HAS GAY OR BI PLAYERS, SAYS FORMER PRO FOOTBALLERRYAN O'CALLAGHAN REPORTS REGULARLY HEARG OM CLOSETED PLAYERS WHO FEAR G {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}NEWSBY JEFF TAYLORAUGT 28, 2019/3:54 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:1696PX;WIDTH:2544PX;}SPORTG NEWS VIA GETTY IMAG VIA GETTY IMAGFOXBOROUGH, MA - NOVEMBER 12: TOM BRADY #12 AND RYAN O'CALLAGHAN #68 OF THE NEW ENGLAND PATRTS STAND ON THE FIELD DURG A GAME AGAST THE NEW YORK JETS ON NOVEMBER 12, 2006 AT GILLETTE STADIUM FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHETTS. (PHOTO BY SPORTG NEWS VIA GETTY IMAG VIA GETTY IMAG)BY JEFF TAYLORAUGT 28, 2019 / 3:54 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"EVERY NFL TEAM HAS GAY OR BI PLAYERS, SAYS FORMER PRO FOOTBALLER","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2019-08-28T19:54:26.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2019-08-28T19:54:26.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JEFF TAYLOR","KEYWORDS":"SPORTS","ARTICLESECTN":"NEWS"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THERE ARE "PLENTY OF CLOSETED NFL PLAYERS" ACRDG TO FORMER NEW ENGLAND PATRTS AND KANSAS CY CHIEFS OFFENSIVE LEMAN RYAN O’CALLAGHAN, WHO PUBLICLY ME OUT AS GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}O'CALLAGHAN (ABOVE, WEARG NUMBER 68), WHO PLAYED THE NFL OM 2006 TO 2011, TOLD RTERS HE HEARS OM CURRENT CLOSETED PROFSNAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS ON A REGULAR BASIS.MICHAEL ZAGARIS/SAN FRANCIS 49ERS/GETTY IMAGKANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: ROBBIE GOULD #9 OF THE SAN FRANCIS 49ERS KICKS A FIELD GOAL DURG THE GAME AGAST THE KANSAS CY CHIEFS AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM ON AUGT 24, 2019 KANSAS CY, MISSOURI. THE 49ER FEATED THE BRONS 27-17. (PHOTO BY MICHAEL ZAGARIS/SAN FRANCIS 49ERS/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THK 'S SAFE TO SAY THERE'S AT LEAST ONE ON EVERY TEAM WHO IS EHER GAY OR BISEXUAL," HE SAID. "A LOT OF GUYS STILL SEE AS POTENTIALLY HAVG A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THEIR REER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE THKS MOST ARE WORRIED THEY ULD LOSE SPONSORSHIPS AND POSSIBLY EVEN THEIR SPOT ON A TEAM. HE ADD THAT NTRACT GUARANTE MIGHT HELP, BUT SAID HE DON'T THK ANYTHG WILL REALLY CHANGE UNTIL A HIGH PROFILE PLAYER WHO IS STILL THE LEAGUE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE A HANDFUL OF DIVIDUALS HAVE E OUT AFTER THEIR PLAYG DAYS ME TO AN END, LIKE O'CALLAGHAN, AND THOUGH MICHAEL SAM BEME THE FIRST OPENLY GAY PERSON DRAFTED BY AN NFL TEAM, THE LEAGUE HAS YET TO HAVE AN OPENLY GAY OR BISEXUAL ATHLETE PLAY A DOWN A REGULAR SEASON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAM WAS CUT BEFORE THE START OF THE REGULAR SEASON AND WENT ON TO PLAY FOR THE MONTREAL ALOUETT, MAKG HIM THE FIRST OPENLY GAY PLAYER THE CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE. HE RETIRED 2015.SPORTG NEWS VIA GETTY IMAG VIA GETTY IMAGEAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 24: NEW ORLEANS SATS QUARTERBACK DREW BRE (9) LOOKS TO PASS THE BALL DURG THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE NATNAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREASON GAME BETWEEN THE NEW ORLEANS SATS AND THE NEW YORK JETS ON AUGT 24, 2019, AT METLIFE STADIUM EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ. (PHOTO BY GREGORY FISHER/IN SPORTSWIRE VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}O'CALLAGHAN STGGLED WH PRSN, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, AND AN ADDICTN TO PAKILLERS, WHICH HE WAS HELPED THROUGH BY A CHIEFS' PSYCHOLOGIST. THAT SAME PSYCHOLOGIST ALSO HELPED HIM FD THE STRENGTH TO E OUT TO HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I JT DON'T THK PEOPLE UNRSTAND THE REALY," HE SAID. "WE N STILL GET FIRED FOR BEG GAY OR NIED SERVIC FOR BEG TRANS."WLEY HT/GETTY IMAGKANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 20: RYAN O'CALLAGHAN #75 OF THE KANSAS CY CHIEFS ON THE SIL DURG A GAME AGAST THE OAKLAND RAIRS AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2009 KANSAS CY, MISSOURI. THE RAIRS FEATED THE CHIEFS 13-10. (PHOTO BY WLEY HT/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}O'CALLAGHAN DURG HIS PLAYG DAYS WH THE KANSAS CY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS UPG BOOK, MY LIFE ON THE LE: HOW THE NFL DAMN NEAR KILLED ME AND END UP SAVG MY LIFE, AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 3, OUTL HIS STGGL AND HIS JOURNEY THROUGH THEM TO THE SELF-ACCEPTANCE HE HAS SCE BEEN ABLE TO DISVER WH HIMSELF. PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS SUPPORTG THE RYAN O'CALLAGHAN FOUNDATN, WHICH HE SET UP TO PROVI SCHOLARSHIPS AND MENTORSHIP TO YOUNG LGBTQ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"YOU HAVE TO EXPLA TO [THEM], 'YOU'RE GOG TO N TO SOME IGNORANT PEOPLE, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE FAH THAT THEY'LL TCH UP TO THE RT OF THE WORLD AND UNRSTAND YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE,'" HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
Wyatt Pertet, a special teams player and receiver for Capal Universy, will be a sophomore this season. The Bachelor star and former football player (who was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted ee agent and was on the practice squad of the Oakland Rairs and the Philalphia Eagl) me out as gay April of 2021, sayg he had fally e to terms wh his sexualy and the "next step all of this was sort of lettg people know.
HERE ARE EIGHT OUT AND PROUD MALE GAY FOOTBALLERS
"He wanted everyone to know he was "still the same Colton everybody met on TV" and is "proud to be gay.
The Rairs leman ma NFL history durg Pri Month 2021 when he me out as gay a heartfelt Instagram post, beg the first active NFL player to e out as member of the LGBTQ+ muny.
I jt wanted to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay.