WNBA star Seimone Augt speaks out for gay marriage

Contents:

• SEIMONE AUGT, WNBA STAR, SPEAKS OUT FOR GAY MARRIAGE
• LYNX STAR OPPOS GAY MARRIAGE BAN
• SEIMONE AUGT THANKS THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED MAKE GAY MARRIAGE MNOTA POSSIBLE
• OPENLY GAY ATHLET AND THE STGGLE FOR {MARG:12PX TO 0;}@MEDIA (M-WIDTH:980PX){{MAX-WIDTH:50%;}}{FONT:NORMAL 400 1.4REM/1.5 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;MARG:12PX TO 0;}@MEDIA (M-WIDTH:980PX){{MAX-WIDTH:50%;}}MICHAEL SAM AND OTHER SPORTS STARS SPEAK OUT FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;OVERFLOW-X:HIDN;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;-WEBK-FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;-MS-FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;BOX-SHADOW:0 4PX 8PX 0 RGBA(0,0,0,0.08);MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:NTA;}{WIDTH:1800PX;HEIGHT:1200PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:18PX 24PX;DISPLAY:GRID;GRID-GAP:18PX;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}{LOR:#0A0A0A;}{FONT:NORMAL 700 2.0REM/1.25 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#0A0A0A;}1 / {LOR:#0A0A0A;} A{FONT:HER;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} STRONG, B{FONT-WEIGHT:BOLR;}{FONT:NORMAL 400 1.4REM/1.5 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#0A0A0A;} A{FONT:HER;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} STRONG, B{FONT-WEIGHT:BOLR;}MICHAEL SAM - ALL-AMERIN FENSIVE LEMAN OM THE UNIVERSY OF MISSOURI MICHAEL SAM ANNOUNCED SUNDAY THAT HE IS GAY AND MAY BEE THE FIRST OPENLY GAY PLAYER DRAFTED TO THE NFL. SAM'S "OPENNS" ABOUT HIS SEXUALY AFTER NBA VETERAN JASON COLLS BEME FIRST ACTIVE OPENLY GAY PLAYER MAJOR U.S. SPORTS. KEEP READG TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER ATHLET WHO HAVE E OUT PUBLICLY OR WHO HAVE SPOKEN OUT FOR TOLERANCE. — BRT MIDDLETON AND DOMIQUE ZONYéé (@DOMIQUEZONYEE)  (PHOTO: BRANDON WA, FILE/AP PHOTO){WIDTH:1308PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}2 / 12JASON COLLS - COLLS ME OUT PUBLICLY AN SAY POSTED MONDAY ON SPORTS ILLTRATED'S WEBSE. IN A PHONE LL, PRINT OBAMA REPORTEDLY TOLD COLLS HE WAS "IMPRSED BY HIS URAGE,” WHILE FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA TWEETED HER SUPPORT. COLLS IS CURRENTLY A EE AGENT AND SAYS HE WANTS TO NTUE PLAYG. (PHOTO: AP PHOTO/MICHAEL DWYER, FILE){WIDTH:1890PX;HEIGHT:1470PX;}3 / 12BRTNEY GRER - TWO DAYS AFTER BEG THE NO. 1 OVERALL PICK THE 2013 WNBA DRAFT, BRTNEY GRER OPENED UP ABOUT BEG A GAY ATHLETE. "IF I N SHOW THAT I'M OUT AND I'M FE AND EVERYTHG'S OK, THEN HOPEFULLY THE YOUNGER GENERATN WILL FELY FEEL THE SAME WAY," SHE SAID AN TERVIEW WH SPORTS ILLTRATED. (PHOTO: DOUG PENSGER/GETTY IMAG){LOR:#818181;FONT-WEIGHT:400;}{FONT:NORMAL 600 1.4REM/1.2 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#818181;FONT-WEIGHT:400;}PHOTO BY {LOR:HER;FONT:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;}{LOR:HER;FONT:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} DOUG PENSGER/GETTY {WIDTH:2384PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}4 / 12JOHN AMAECHI - IN 2007, THREE YEARS AFTER RETIRG, JOHN AMAECHI BEME THE FIRST OPENLY GAY FORMER NBA PLAYER. (PHOTO: ANDY LYONS /ALLSPORT){WIDTH:1411PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}5 / 12GREG LOUGANIS - U.S. OLYMPIC DIVG LEGEND GREG LOUGANIS FIRST OPENED UP ABOUT BEG A GAY ATHLETE AS WELL AS LIVG WH HIV HIS 1995 BOOK, BREAKG THE SURFACE. (PHOTO: REUTERS/MAR ANZUONI){MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:NONE;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;} + .E1IATVX90{DISPLAY:NONE;}(:EMPTY){DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;}(:EMPTY) + .E1IATVX90{DISPLAY:BLOCK;}{BACKGROUND-LOR:#0A0A0A;LOR:#FAFAFA;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;-WEBK-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MOZ-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MS-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;PADDG:2PX 5PX;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;PADDG:3PX 5PX 4PX 5PX;LOR:#C4FF2C;BACKGROUND-LOR:#000000;LOR:#FFFFFF;DISPLAY:BLOCK;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}{FONT:NORMAL 600 1.4REM/1.2 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;BACKGROUND-LOR:#0A0A0A;LOR:#FAFAFA;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;-WEBK-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MOZ-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MS-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;PADDG:2PX 5PX;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;PADDG:3PX 5PX 4PX 5PX;LOR:#C4FF2C;BACKGROUND-LOR:#000000;LOR:#FFFFFF;DISPLAY:BLOCK;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}ADVERTISEMENT6 / 12BRENDON AYANBAJO - FORMER BALTIMORE RAVENS LEBACKER BRENDON AYANBAJO, WHO HAS SAID HE IS HETEROSEXUAL, HAS BEEN VOL ABOUT GAY RIGHTS SCE 2009. LAST FALL, HE NOTABLY RALLIED FOR MARRIAGE EQUALY THE STATE OF MARYLAND. (PHOTO: DONALD MIRALLE/GETTY IMAG){WIDTH:1189PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}7 / 12CHRIS KLUWE - IN MARCH, MNOTA VIKGS PUNTER CHRIS KLUWE JOED AYANBAJO ON THE STEPS OF THE UNED STAT SUPREME COURT AS JTIC HEARD OPENG ARGUMENTS ON CALIFORNIA'S BAN ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. ADDNALLY, KLUWE AND AYANBAJO FILED AN AMIC BRIEF SE. (PHOTO: HANNAH FOSLIEN/GETTY IMAG){WIDTH:1426PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}8 / 12JIM MORA - IN A RECENT VIO SUPPORTG TOLERANCE ATHLETICS, UCLA FOOTBALL ACH JIM MORA ENDORSED GAY ATHLET AND ACH, BEG THE FIRST MAJOR LLEGE FOOTBALL ACH TO STEP OUT TO THE FOREONT OF THE ISSUE. (PHOTO: WILLIAM MANCEBO/GETTY IMAG){WIDTH:994PX;HEIGHT:1450PX;}9 / 12SHERYL SWOOP  - SHERYL SWOOP, THE FIRST PLAYER SIGNED THE WNBA, TALKED OPENLY ABOUT HER RELATNSHIP WH THEN-PARTNER ALISA STT 2005. HER PERSONAL LIFE AGA BEME THE SUBJECT OF SCTY 2011, WHEN WAS REPORTED THAT SHE WAS ENGAGED TO A MAN, WH HER FANS G TO HER FENSE THE FACE OF CRICISM. (PHOTO: CHUCK MYERS/MCT/LANDOV){WIDTH:1800PX;HEIGHT:1487PX;}10 / 12SEIMONE AUGT  - U.S. OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST AND WNBA STAR SEIMONE AUGT, WHO IS OPENLY GAY, HAS RALLIED FOR SAME SEX-MARRIAGE THE STATE OF MNOTA. (PHOTO: CSM /LANDOV){WIDTH:1725PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}11 / 12ORLANDO CZ - IN AN TERVIEW LAST OCTOBER WH THE ASSOCIATED PRS, FEATHERWEIGHT BOXER ORLANDO CZ SCRIBED HIMSELF AS A "PROUD, GAY MAN." HE SAID HE HOPED G OUT WOULD HELP KIDS SUFFERG OM BULLYG TO KNOW THAT "WHO YOU ARE OR WHOM YOU LOVE SHOULD NOT BE IMPEDIMENT TO ACHIEVG ANYTHG LIFE." (PHOTO: J. MERIC/GETTY IMAG){WIDTH:2048PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}12 / 12ESERA TUAOLO - FORMER NFL FENSIVE TACKLE ESERA TUAOLO ME OUT PUBLICLY 2002 AN TERVIEW ON HBO'S REAL SPORTS. HE REMAS AN ADVOTE FOR GAY RIGHTS. (PHOTO: JONATHAN DANIEL /ALLSPORT)
• GREATT LGBT {MARG:12PX TO 0;}@MEDIA (M-WIDTH:980PX){{MAX-WIDTH:50%;}}{FONT:NORMAL 400 1.4REM/1.5 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;MARG:12PX TO 0;}@MEDIA (M-WIDTH:980PX){{MAX-WIDTH:50%;}}DARKANIAN SHOULD FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;OVERFLOW-X:HIDN;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;-WEBK-FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;-MS-FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;BOX-SHADOW:0 4PX 8PX 0 RGBA(0,0,0,0.08);MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:NTA;}{WIDTH:992PX;HEIGHT:357PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:18PX 24PX;DISPLAY:GRID;GRID-GAP:18PX;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}{LOR:#0A0A0A;}{FONT:NORMAL 700 2.0REM/1.25 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#0A0A0A;}1 / {LOR:#0A0A0A;} A{FONT:HER;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} STRONG, B{FONT-WEIGHT:BOLR;}{FONT:NORMAL 400 1.4REM/1.5 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#0A0A0A;} A{FONT:HER;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} STRONG, B{FONT-WEIGHT:BOLR;}DARKANIAN - LAST SEASON, CRYSTAL WAS FOR THE SURPRISE OF A LIFETIME WHEN SHE LEARNED THAT THE GUY SHE THOUGHT WAS TERTED HER, DARKANIAN, WAS ACTUALLY DATG MEN. TO MAKE THGS MORE TERTG, DARKANIAN IS A PROFSNAL FOOTBALL PLAYER WH A WHOLE LOT TO LOSE IF THE WORLD WERE TO FD OUT ABOUT HIS SEXUALY. WE CID TO TAKE A LOOK BACK AT OTHER LGBT ATHLET WHO HAVE HAD A SIAR STGGLE WHO ULTIMATELY ME OUT. (PHOTO: BET){WIDTH:1308PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}2 / 12JASON COLLS - DRAFTED ALONG WH HIS BROTHER JARRON 2001, JASON IS THE MOST RECENT (PERHAPS THE MOST PROMENT) ATHLETE ANY OF THE MAJOR LEAGU TO E OUT ABOUT HIS SEXUALY. HIS NDID ARTICLE SPORTS ILLTRATED'S MAY 6, 2013, ISSUE EXPLAS HIS STGGLE, WHY HE HELD BACK ON G OUT AND ULTIMATELY WHAT HE HOP WILL HAPPEN NOW THAT HE HAS. (PHOTO: AP PHOTO/MICHAEL DWYER, FILE){WIDTH:640PX;HEIGHT:360PX;}3 / 12WA DAVIS - WA DAVIS PLAYED FOR THE TENNSEE TANS AND ALSO PLAYED PREASON GAM FOR THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AND THE WASHGTON REDSKS. IN 2012, DAVIS ME OUT AND BEGAN WRG ABOUT THE STGGL OF GAY MEN THE NFL.(PHOTO: NFL / AP){WIDTH:1800PX;HEIGHT:1233PX;}4 / 12MARTA NAVRATILOVA - MARTA NAVRATILOVA IS A FORMER GRAND SLAM TENNIS CHAMPN OM CZECHOSLOVAKIA. MARTA ME OUT THE BEGNG OF HER TENNIS REER AND HAS SCE BEEN AN ADVOTE FOR GAY RIGHTS SPORTS AND THE WORLD.(PHOTO: MORNE KLERK/GETTY IMAG){LOR:#818181;FONT-WEIGHT:400;}{FONT:NORMAL 600 1.4REM/1.2 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#818181;FONT-WEIGHT:400;}PHOTO BY {LOR:HER;FONT:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;}{LOR:HER;FONT:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;}PHOTO: MORNE KLERK/GETTY {WIDTH:1406PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}5 / 12JOSHUA DIXON - JOSHUA DIXON IS A GYMNAST OM STANFORD UNIVERSY WHO PETED THE 2012 OLYMPICS LONDON AS AN OPENLY GAY MALE AFTER HE ME OUT THE SPRG BEFORE THE GAM. (PHOTO: CSM /LANDOV)PHOTO BY PHOTO: CSM /{MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:NONE;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;} + .E1IATVX90{DISPLAY:NONE;}(:EMPTY){DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;}(:EMPTY) + .E1IATVX90{DISPLAY:BLOCK;}{BACKGROUND-LOR:#0A0A0A;LOR:#FAFAFA;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;-WEBK-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MOZ-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MS-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;PADDG:2PX 5PX;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;PADDG:3PX 5PX 4PX 5PX;LOR:#C4FF2C;BACKGROUND-LOR:#000000;LOR:#FFFFFF;DISPLAY:BLOCK;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}{FONT:NORMAL 600 1.4REM/1.2 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;BACKGROUND-LOR:#0A0A0A;LOR:#FAFAFA;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;-WEBK-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MOZ-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MS-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;PADDG:2PX 5PX;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;PADDG:3PX 5PX 4PX 5PX;LOR:#C4FF2C;BACKGROUND-LOR:#000000;LOR:#FFFFFF;DISPLAY:BLOCK;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}{WIDTH:1151PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}6 / 12ROBBIE ROGERS - ROBBIE ROGERS OF THE COLUMB CREW ME OUT AS GAY EARLIER THIS YEAR. ROGERS HAS PLAYED FOR THE US NATNAL SOCCER TEAM AND ME OUT AN OPEN LETTER, QUTG THE GAME.(PHOTO: JAMIE SAB/GETTY IMAG){WIDTH:1800PX;HEIGHT:1487PX;}7 / 12SEIMONE AUGT - MNOTA LYNX GUARD SEIMONE AUGT IS ONE OF THE BT PLAYERS THE WNBA AND SHE IS ALSO OPENLY GAY AND ENGAGED TO A WOMAN. (PHOTO: CSM /LANDOV){WIDTH:1152PX;HEIGHT:648PX;}8 / 12ORLANDO CZ - ORLANDO CZ IS BOXG'S FIRST OPENLY GAY FIGHTER AND WON A FIGHT TWO WEEKS AFTER G OUT. THE PUERTO RIN FIGHTER IS 18-2 AND HAS RECEIVED THE SUPPORT OF BOXER MIGUEL COTTO.(PHOTO: HANDOUT OM EMC EVENTS)PHOTO BY PHOTO: HANDOUT OM EMC {WIDTH:1973PX;HEIGHT:3000PX;}9 / 12JOHN AMAECHI - FORMER NBA PLAYER JOHN AMAECHI ME OUT AFTER RETIRG OM THE NBA 2007. SCE THEN, THE BRISH BRED AMAECHI HAS BEEN AN ADVOTE AND SPOKMAN FOR GAY RIGHTS.(PHOTO: FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAG)
• WNBA STAR SEIMONE AUGT SPEAKS OUT AGAST MN. AMENDMENT THAT WOULD BAN GAY MARRIAGE
• WNBA STAR SEIMONE AUGT SPEAKS OUT FOR GAY MARRIAGE
• WNBA STAR SEIMONE AUGT SPEAKS OUT AGAST ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

SEIMONE AUGT, WNBA STAR, SPEAKS OUT FOR GAY MARRIAGE

“Every day walkg down the hallway was like: ‘She’s gay. She’s gay. “You had parents g up to my parents and sayg, ‘Bee your dghter is gay, she’s got my dghter feelg like she’s gay, ’” Augt said.

Beanna Stewart has had a 2021 for the ag: proposg to girliend and WNBA rival Marta Xargay May, wng her send Olympic gold medal Augt, and welg her first child to the world one day later.

LYNX STAR OPPOS GAY MARRIAGE BAN

There is rarely a discsn of gay rights issu the NBA, where 's still difficult to image an openly gay athlete. There was a time when Mnota was agast gay marriage.

SEIMONE AUGT THANKS THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED MAKE GAY MARRIAGE MNOTA POSSIBLE

“Is a sre of gay people are gog to be nng around, and everyone’s gog to turn gay? Augt, believed to be the only publicly out gay player the WNBA Fals, hop that 2017 is jt as lucky when the Lynx play the Los Angel Sparks the cidg Game 5 Wednday Mneapolis. Augt me out as gay 2012 and has been a stnch advote for LGBT rights and same-sex marriage.

"I knew I was gay by the time I reached middle school, " Agt wrote an article for The Players' Tribune. Augt, who revealed she was gay an terview wh The Advote earlier this year, discsed her weddg plans, and her sexualy, on ESPN’s “Outsi the L” program. The uple plan to marry next May at the Walker Arts Center Mneapolis, even though gay marriage is not legal the state.

OPENLY GAY ATHLET AND THE STGGLE FOR {MARG:12PX TO 0;}@MEDIA (M-WIDTH:980PX){{MAX-WIDTH:50%;}}{FONT:NORMAL 400 1.4REM/1.5 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;MARG:12PX TO 0;}@MEDIA (M-WIDTH:980PX){{MAX-WIDTH:50%;}}MICHAEL SAM AND OTHER SPORTS STARS SPEAK OUT FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;OVERFLOW-X:HIDN;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;-WEBK-FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;-MS-FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;BOX-SHADOW:0 4PX 8PX 0 RGBA(0,0,0,0.08);MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:NTA;}{WIDTH:1800PX;HEIGHT:1200PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:18PX 24PX;DISPLAY:GRID;GRID-GAP:18PX;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}{LOR:#0A0A0A;}{FONT:NORMAL 700 2.0REM/1.25 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#0A0A0A;}1 / {LOR:#0A0A0A;} A{FONT:HER;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} STRONG, B{FONT-WEIGHT:BOLR;}{FONT:NORMAL 400 1.4REM/1.5 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#0A0A0A;} A{FONT:HER;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} STRONG, B{FONT-WEIGHT:BOLR;}MICHAEL SAM - ALL-AMERIN FENSIVE LEMAN OM THE UNIVERSY OF MISSOURI MICHAEL SAM ANNOUNCED SUNDAY THAT HE IS GAY AND MAY BEE THE FIRST OPENLY GAY PLAYER DRAFTED TO THE NFL. SAM'S "OPENNS" ABOUT HIS SEXUALY AFTER NBA VETERAN JASON COLLS BEME FIRST ACTIVE OPENLY GAY PLAYER MAJOR U.S. SPORTS. KEEP READG TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER ATHLET WHO HAVE E OUT PUBLICLY OR WHO HAVE SPOKEN OUT FOR TOLERANCE. — BRT MIDDLETON AND DOMIQUE ZONYéé (@DOMIQUEZONYEE)  (PHOTO: BRANDON WA, FILE/AP PHOTO){WIDTH:1308PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}2 / 12JASON COLLS - COLLS ME OUT PUBLICLY AN SAY POSTED MONDAY ON SPORTS ILLTRATED'S WEBSE. IN A PHONE LL, PRINT OBAMA REPORTEDLY TOLD COLLS HE WAS "IMPRSED BY HIS URAGE,” WHILE FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA TWEETED HER SUPPORT. COLLS IS CURRENTLY A EE AGENT AND SAYS HE WANTS TO NTUE PLAYG. (PHOTO: AP PHOTO/MICHAEL DWYER, FILE){WIDTH:1890PX;HEIGHT:1470PX;}3 / 12BRTNEY GRER - TWO DAYS AFTER BEG THE NO. 1 OVERALL PICK THE 2013 WNBA DRAFT, BRTNEY GRER OPENED UP ABOUT BEG A GAY ATHLETE. "IF I N SHOW THAT I'M OUT AND I'M FE AND EVERYTHG'S OK, THEN HOPEFULLY THE YOUNGER GENERATN WILL FELY FEEL THE SAME WAY," SHE SAID AN TERVIEW WH SPORTS ILLTRATED. (PHOTO: DOUG PENSGER/GETTY IMAG){LOR:#818181;FONT-WEIGHT:400;}{FONT:NORMAL 600 1.4REM/1.2 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#818181;FONT-WEIGHT:400;}PHOTO BY {LOR:HER;FONT:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;}{LOR:HER;FONT:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} DOUG PENSGER/GETTY {WIDTH:2384PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}4 / 12JOHN AMAECHI - IN 2007, THREE YEARS AFTER RETIRG, JOHN AMAECHI BEME THE FIRST OPENLY GAY FORMER NBA PLAYER. (PHOTO: ANDY LYONS /ALLSPORT){WIDTH:1411PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}5 / 12GREG LOUGANIS - U.S. OLYMPIC DIVG LEGEND GREG LOUGANIS FIRST OPENED UP ABOUT BEG A GAY ATHLETE AS WELL AS LIVG WH HIV HIS 1995 BOOK, BREAKG THE SURFACE. (PHOTO: REUTERS/MAR ANZUONI){MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:NONE;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;} + .E1IATVX90{DISPLAY:NONE;}(:EMPTY){DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;}(:EMPTY) + .E1IATVX90{DISPLAY:BLOCK;}{BACKGROUND-LOR:#0A0A0A;LOR:#FAFAFA;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;-WEBK-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MOZ-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MS-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;PADDG:2PX 5PX;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;PADDG:3PX 5PX 4PX 5PX;LOR:#C4FF2C;BACKGROUND-LOR:#000000;LOR:#FFFFFF;DISPLAY:BLOCK;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}{FONT:NORMAL 600 1.4REM/1.2 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;BACKGROUND-LOR:#0A0A0A;LOR:#FAFAFA;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;-WEBK-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MOZ-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MS-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;PADDG:2PX 5PX;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;PADDG:3PX 5PX 4PX 5PX;LOR:#C4FF2C;BACKGROUND-LOR:#000000;LOR:#FFFFFF;DISPLAY:BLOCK;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}ADVERTISEMENT6 / 12BRENDON AYANBAJO - FORMER BALTIMORE RAVENS LEBACKER BRENDON AYANBAJO, WHO HAS SAID HE IS HETEROSEXUAL, HAS BEEN VOL ABOUT GAY RIGHTS SCE 2009. LAST FALL, HE NOTABLY RALLIED FOR MARRIAGE EQUALY THE STATE OF MARYLAND. (PHOTO: DONALD MIRALLE/GETTY IMAG){WIDTH:1189PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}7 / 12CHRIS KLUWE - IN MARCH, MNOTA VIKGS PUNTER CHRIS KLUWE JOED AYANBAJO ON THE STEPS OF THE UNED STAT SUPREME COURT AS JTIC HEARD OPENG ARGUMENTS ON CALIFORNIA'S BAN ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. ADDNALLY, KLUWE AND AYANBAJO FILED AN AMIC BRIEF SE. (PHOTO: HANNAH FOSLIEN/GETTY IMAG){WIDTH:1426PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}8 / 12JIM MORA - IN A RECENT VIO SUPPORTG TOLERANCE ATHLETICS, UCLA FOOTBALL ACH JIM MORA ENDORSED GAY ATHLET AND ACH, BEG THE FIRST MAJOR LLEGE FOOTBALL ACH TO STEP OUT TO THE FOREONT OF THE ISSUE. (PHOTO: WILLIAM MANCEBO/GETTY IMAG){WIDTH:994PX;HEIGHT:1450PX;}9 / 12SHERYL SWOOP  - SHERYL SWOOP, THE FIRST PLAYER SIGNED THE WNBA, TALKED OPENLY ABOUT HER RELATNSHIP WH THEN-PARTNER ALISA STT 2005. HER PERSONAL LIFE AGA BEME THE SUBJECT OF SCTY 2011, WHEN WAS REPORTED THAT SHE WAS ENGAGED TO A MAN, WH HER FANS G TO HER FENSE THE FACE OF CRICISM. (PHOTO: CHUCK MYERS/MCT/LANDOV){WIDTH:1800PX;HEIGHT:1487PX;}10 / 12SEIMONE AUGT  - U.S. OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST AND WNBA STAR SEIMONE AUGT, WHO IS OPENLY GAY, HAS RALLIED FOR SAME SEX-MARRIAGE THE STATE OF MNOTA. (PHOTO: CSM /LANDOV){WIDTH:1725PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}11 / 12ORLANDO CZ - IN AN TERVIEW LAST OCTOBER WH THE ASSOCIATED PRS, FEATHERWEIGHT BOXER ORLANDO CZ SCRIBED HIMSELF AS A "PROUD, GAY MAN." HE SAID HE HOPED G OUT WOULD HELP KIDS SUFFERG OM BULLYG TO KNOW THAT "WHO YOU ARE OR WHOM YOU LOVE SHOULD NOT BE IMPEDIMENT TO ACHIEVG ANYTHG LIFE." (PHOTO: J. MERIC/GETTY IMAG){WIDTH:2048PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}12 / 12ESERA TUAOLO - FORMER NFL FENSIVE TACKLE ESERA TUAOLO ME OUT PUBLICLY 2002 AN TERVIEW ON HBO'S REAL SPORTS. HE REMAS AN ADVOTE FOR GAY RIGHTS. (PHOTO: JONATHAN DANIEL /ALLSPORT)

Augt told her parents she was gay when she was a teenager, but took another 14 years before she was ready to e out public. “I’m 28 years old, and I still have yet to see a gay or lbian uple walk down the street and be openly gay the South, ” said Augt, a native of Baton Rouge, La.

GREATT LGBT {MARG:12PX TO 0;}@MEDIA (M-WIDTH:980PX){{MAX-WIDTH:50%;}}{FONT:NORMAL 400 1.4REM/1.5 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;MARG:12PX TO 0;}@MEDIA (M-WIDTH:980PX){{MAX-WIDTH:50%;}}DARKANIAN SHOULD FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;OVERFLOW-X:HIDN;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;-WEBK-FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;-MS-FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;FLEX-DIRECTN:LUMN;BOX-SHADOW:0 4PX 8PX 0 RGBA(0,0,0,0.08);MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{WIDTH:100%;HEIGHT:TO;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:NTA;}{WIDTH:992PX;HEIGHT:357PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:18PX 24PX;DISPLAY:GRID;GRID-GAP:18PX;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}{LOR:#0A0A0A;}{FONT:NORMAL 700 2.0REM/1.25 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#0A0A0A;}1 / {LOR:#0A0A0A;} A{FONT:HER;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} STRONG, B{FONT-WEIGHT:BOLR;}{FONT:NORMAL 400 1.4REM/1.5 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#0A0A0A;} A{FONT:HER;LOR:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} STRONG, B{FONT-WEIGHT:BOLR;}DARKANIAN - LAST SEASON, CRYSTAL WAS FOR THE SURPRISE OF A LIFETIME WHEN SHE LEARNED THAT THE GUY SHE THOUGHT WAS TERTED HER, DARKANIAN, WAS ACTUALLY DATG MEN. TO MAKE THGS MORE TERTG, DARKANIAN IS A PROFSNAL FOOTBALL PLAYER WH A WHOLE LOT TO LOSE IF THE WORLD WERE TO FD OUT ABOUT HIS SEXUALY. WE CID TO TAKE A LOOK BACK AT OTHER LGBT ATHLET WHO HAVE HAD A SIAR STGGLE WHO ULTIMATELY ME OUT. (PHOTO: BET){WIDTH:1308PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}2 / 12JASON COLLS - DRAFTED ALONG WH HIS BROTHER JARRON 2001, JASON IS THE MOST RECENT (PERHAPS THE MOST PROMENT) ATHLETE ANY OF THE MAJOR LEAGU TO E OUT ABOUT HIS SEXUALY. HIS NDID ARTICLE SPORTS ILLTRATED'S MAY 6, 2013, ISSUE EXPLAS HIS STGGLE, WHY HE HELD BACK ON G OUT AND ULTIMATELY WHAT HE HOP WILL HAPPEN NOW THAT HE HAS. (PHOTO: AP PHOTO/MICHAEL DWYER, FILE){WIDTH:640PX;HEIGHT:360PX;}3 / 12WA DAVIS - WA DAVIS PLAYED FOR THE TENNSEE TANS AND ALSO PLAYED PREASON GAM FOR THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AND THE WASHGTON REDSKS. IN 2012, DAVIS ME OUT AND BEGAN WRG ABOUT THE STGGL OF GAY MEN THE NFL.(PHOTO: NFL / AP){WIDTH:1800PX;HEIGHT:1233PX;}4 / 12MARTA NAVRATILOVA - MARTA NAVRATILOVA IS A FORMER GRAND SLAM TENNIS CHAMPN OM CZECHOSLOVAKIA. MARTA ME OUT THE BEGNG OF HER TENNIS REER AND HAS SCE BEEN AN ADVOTE FOR GAY RIGHTS SPORTS AND THE WORLD.(PHOTO: MORNE KLERK/GETTY IMAG){LOR:#818181;FONT-WEIGHT:400;}{FONT:NORMAL 600 1.4REM/1.2 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:#818181;FONT-WEIGHT:400;}PHOTO BY {LOR:HER;FONT:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;}{LOR:HER;FONT:HER;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;}PHOTO: MORNE KLERK/GETTY {WIDTH:1406PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}5 / 12JOSHUA DIXON - JOSHUA DIXON IS A GYMNAST OM STANFORD UNIVERSY WHO PETED THE 2012 OLYMPICS LONDON AS AN OPENLY GAY MALE AFTER HE ME OUT THE SPRG BEFORE THE GAM. (PHOTO: CSM /LANDOV)PHOTO BY PHOTO: CSM /{MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG-BOTTOM:54PX;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:NONE;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;} + .E1IATVX90{DISPLAY:NONE;}(:EMPTY){DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;}(:EMPTY) + .E1IATVX90{DISPLAY:BLOCK;}{BACKGROUND-LOR:#0A0A0A;LOR:#FAFAFA;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;-WEBK-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MOZ-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MS-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;PADDG:2PX 5PX;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;PADDG:3PX 5PX 4PX 5PX;LOR:#C4FF2C;BACKGROUND-LOR:#000000;LOR:#FFFFFF;DISPLAY:BLOCK;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}{FONT:NORMAL 600 1.4REM/1.2 "SOEHNE",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;BACKGROUND-LOR:#0A0A0A;LOR:#FAFAFA;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;-WEBK-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MOZ-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;-MS-LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;LETTER-SPACG:NORMAL;PADDG:2PX 5PX;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;PADDG:3PX 5PX 4PX 5PX;LOR:#C4FF2C;BACKGROUND-LOR:#000000;LOR:#FFFFFF;DISPLAY:BLOCK;TEXT-ALIGN:CENTER;}{WIDTH:1151PX;HEIGHT:1800PX;}6 / 12ROBBIE ROGERS - ROBBIE ROGERS OF THE COLUMB CREW ME OUT AS GAY EARLIER THIS YEAR. ROGERS HAS PLAYED FOR THE US NATNAL SOCCER TEAM AND ME OUT AN OPEN LETTER, QUTG THE GAME.(PHOTO: JAMIE SAB/GETTY IMAG){WIDTH:1800PX;HEIGHT:1487PX;}7 / 12SEIMONE AUGT - MNOTA LYNX GUARD SEIMONE AUGT IS ONE OF THE BT PLAYERS THE WNBA AND SHE IS ALSO OPENLY GAY AND ENGAGED TO A WOMAN. (PHOTO: CSM /LANDOV){WIDTH:1152PX;HEIGHT:648PX;}8 / 12ORLANDO CZ - ORLANDO CZ IS BOXG'S FIRST OPENLY GAY FIGHTER AND WON A FIGHT TWO WEEKS AFTER G OUT. THE PUERTO RIN FIGHTER IS 18-2 AND HAS RECEIVED THE SUPPORT OF BOXER MIGUEL COTTO.(PHOTO: HANDOUT OM EMC EVENTS)PHOTO BY PHOTO: HANDOUT OM EMC {WIDTH:1973PX;HEIGHT:3000PX;}9 / 12JOHN AMAECHI - FORMER NBA PLAYER JOHN AMAECHI ME OUT AFTER RETIRG OM THE NBA 2007. SCE THEN, THE BRISH BRED AMAECHI HAS BEEN AN ADVOTE AND SPOKMAN FOR GAY RIGHTS.(PHOTO: FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAG)

“We’re still gettg over black and whe issu down South, so to thk that they’re ready to accept open gay and lbian people would be, uh, a b of stretch. Athlet’ attus are changg about petg wh gay athlet, she said. Associated PrsOct 15, 2012, 11:35 PM ETMINNEAPOLIS -- Seimone Augt has always preferred to stay out of the public eye even as her basketball reer has taken her to the heights of an Olympic gold medal and a WNBA her adopted home state of Mnota nsirg a nstutnal amendment that would ban gay marriage, the Lynx star is now beg a vol proponent of equal rights for all, she has her own weddg g up, to longtime girliend LaTaya Varner.

State law already mak gay marriage illegal, and the uple has discsed travelg a few hours south to Iowa for the official exchangg of a nstutnal ban on gay marriage would signal to them that the dream of marriage equaly Varner's home state is nowhere near as close to a realy as they hoped. "Is a sre of, 'Gay people are gog to be nng around and everyone's gog to turn gay? "Varner says she expects gay marriage will eventually be legal the state, and a "No" vote victory November would be a sign that tim are changg.

WNBA STAR SEIMONE AUGT SPEAKS OUT AGAST MN. AMENDMENT THAT WOULD BAN GAY MARRIAGE

"Augt' cisn to take a more public role advotg for gay rights is drawg some applse om an athletic scene that has never been particularly welg to gay athlet.

No active male athlete the four major pro sports -- football, baseball, basketball or hockey -- has e out publicly as gay, acrdg to the gay-oriented sports webse "I thk 's awome bee shows that she's fortable beg who she is and she feels she has the support and people won't treat her differently jt bee of her sexualy, " said Vikgs punter Chris Kluwe, a straight athlete who has been outspoken his support of gay marriage. "Augt is wearg one of Kluwe's "Sparklepony" T-shirts -- a phrase Kluwe ed an aggrsive rponse to a Maryland state legislator's efforts to quiet Baltimore Ravens player Brendon Ayanbajo's public support of gay marriage -- durg terviews at the WNBA Fals to raise awarens. "Augt said she's had several gay athlet reach out to her sce she started speakg publicly about her relatnship wh Varner, and the once-mera shy star is warmg up to the spotlight.

WNBA STAR SEIMONE AUGT SPEAKS OUT FOR GAY MARRIAGE

My md went to a gay uple I'd met, who'd been together for 47 years. " One of them said, "We were there before people accepted homosexualy.

If you were gay our time, you had to hi . One of the feel-good stori women's basketball last week me om the fact that Mnota went om lookg like was potentially gog to ban gay marriage to legalizg , jt before Lynx star Seimone Augt and her fiancee LaTaya Varner were about to settle for a weddg Iowa. In a phone terview on Monday, Augt reflected on what will mean to her to get married Mnota after fightg so hard for gay marriage.

WNBA STAR SEIMONE AUGT SPEAKS OUT AGAST ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

A gay marriage ban was proposed Mnota jt two years ago, but was rejected and the state went a pletely different directn by approvg a bill to legalize same sex marriage on May 14. Mnota is now the 12th state to allow gay marriage, jog Massachetts, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Mae, Maryland, Washgton, Rho Island, Delaware and Iowa.

Associated PrsOct 16, 2012, 03:35 AMMINNEAPOLIS -- Seimone Augt has always preferred to stay out of the public eye even as her basketball reer has taken her to the heights of an Olympic gold medal and a WNBA her adopted home state of Mnota nsirg a nstutnal amendment that would ban gay marriage, the Lynx star is now beg a vol proponent of equal rights for all, she has her own weddg g up, to longtime girliend LaTaya Varner. "Every day walkg down the hallway was like: 'She's gay. She's gay.

"You had parents g up to my parents and sayg, 'Bee your dghter is gay, she's got my dghter feelg like she's gay, '" Augt said. 1 / 12Michael Sam - All-Amerin fensive leman om the Universy of Missouri Michael Sam announced Sunday that he is gay and may bee the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL. Sam's "openns" about his sexualy after NBA veteran Jason Colls beme first active openly gay player major U.