Openly Gay Hockey Player Says NHL Has Taken 'A Step Back for Incln'

nhl player comes out gay

"I am no longer sred to hi who I am," Prokop said. "Today I am proud to publicly tell everyone that I am gay."

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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS' KEV MAXEN BE FIRST MALE COACH TO COME OUT AS GAY MAJOR U.S. SPORTS

Jacksonville Jaguars ach Kev Maxen, who joed the team last year, me out publicly as gay an terview wh Outsports published on Thursday, beg the first ach a U.S. men’s profsnal league to do so" emprop="scriptn * nhl player comes out gay *

The NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars strength ach, Kev Maxen, has e out as gay — makg him the first male ach a U. While Maxen is believed to be the first male ach to have e out publicly as gay, there have been a few female ach U. When to players, there have only been 16 the history of the NFL to e out as gay or bisexual as of September 2022, per Outsports.

Jacksonville Jaguars associate strength ach Kev Maxen me out as gay on Thursday what is believed to be a first for a male ach major U. Kev Maxen me out as gay an terview wh Outsports. -- Jaguars assistant strength and ndng ach Kev Maxen has bee the first male ach major Amerin men's profsnal sports to publicly e out as gay, tellg he ma the cisn bee he didn't want to hi who he is any longer and to possibly spire others siar suatns.It's a cisn and move that drew praise and support om owner Shad Khan, who was a vol and emphatic supporter of a cy ordance that expand protectns on the grounds of sexual orientatn, genr inty and genr exprsn."I don't want to feel like I have to thk about anymore," Maxen said the piece published Thursday afternoon.

Outsi lebacker Carl Nassib beme the first active NFL player to e out as gay and to play a game 2021.The Associated Prs ntributed to this report. Atralian A-League soccer star Josh Cavallo me out as gay an October vio posted to his social media, beg hailed as the first current male top-flight profsnal soccer player to publicly do so. I'm a footballer and I'm gay.

JAGUARS ACH KEV MAXEN OUT AS GAY HISTORIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Jacksonville Jaguars associate strength ach Kev Maxen has e out as gay. His announcement is a first for a male ach a major U.S.-based profsnal league. * nhl player comes out gay *

"He ntued: "Growg up I always felt the need to hi myself, you know, bee I was ashamed, and ashamed I'll never be able to do what I love and be gay.

In a September terview wh USA Today, 25-year-old mor league baseball player beme the only active baseball profsnal to be out as gay!

Natnal Hockey League prospect Le Prokop me out as gay July, the first active player the league to e out. "I am proud to publicly tell everyone that I am gay, " he wrote a heartfelt msage on social media.

JAGUARS ASSOCIATE STRENGTH ACH KEV MAXEN OUT AS GAY A FIRST FOR US-BASED PRO LEAGU

Jack Jablonski, who has been paralyzed for more than 10 years due to an accint a high school hockey game, me out as gay on Wednday. * nhl player comes out gay *

The 28-year-old Natnal Football League player and Rairs fensive leman ma history when he me out as gay on Instagram durg Pri Month, beg the first veteran NFL player to e out as gay while signed to a regular-season ntract. I jt wanted to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay.

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, sayg he had fally e to terms wh his sexualy and the "next step all of this was sort of lettg people know. "He wanted everyone to know he was "still the same Colton everybody met on TV" and is "proud to be gay.

JABLONSKI, KGS STAFFER WHO IS PARALYZED, OUT AS GAY

Bayne Pettger, NHL's first openly gay hockey player agent, says the league's recent cisn to ban teams om donng Pri jerseys uld alienate the queer muny and disurage their participatn and support the game. * nhl player comes out gay *

Hiltz had prevly e out as gay while llege and has been a visible and affirmg prence for gay athlet the past. Corey Walsh, the 27-year-old pro BMX rir and Vans spokperson, said he isn't normally the type of person to "let people " on his personal life, but felt was important to e out as gay a March Instagram post bee "there are a lot of people still stgglg wh the same suatns" and he "jt wanted to let people know that they are not alone. Champn long track speedskater Conor McDermott-Mostowy never hid beg gay om his fay, iends, and fellow athlet, but he also wasn't one to rate his locker wh rabow Pri flags eher.

He ially feared negative stereotyp about gay male athlet but threw those ncerns asi after his two-tle performance at the U. -based profsnal league to e out as gay. Michael Sam beme the first openly gay player to be drafted when the then-St.

CALLG PRI JERSEYS A DISTRACTN IS SENDG THE WRONG MSAGE, SAYS NHL'S FIRST OPENLY-GAY AGENT

Kev Maxen is now the first openly gay male ach the NFL. * nhl player comes out gay *

Jack Jablonski, who has been paralyzed for more than 10 years due to an accint a high school hockey game, me out as gay on Wednday.

JAGUARS ASSISTANT STRENGTH AND NDNG ACH KEV MAXEN OUT PUBLICLY AS GAY

Many gay male hockey players and officials me out on Outsports this year. Together, they’re makg the sport’s culture more clive. * nhl player comes out gay *

I am gay. A gay man the sports world. "Le Prokop, a Nashville Predators fenseman prospect, beme the first NHL player unr ntract to e out as gay last year July.

Dpe his profsnal succs, however, the 36-year-old says he feared he uldn't be accepted as a gay man the sport.

"There was always this fear that I uldn't live my te life — to be accepted as a gay man — and also be a succsful young executive the game. The first openly gay NHL agent, Bayne Pettger, dropped by the CBC Victoria stud to share his NHL has always had this stereotype of beg an old boys club, not beg able to grow.

OPENLY GAY NHL PROSPECT LE PROKOP CALLS OUT LACK OF 'INCLN' AFTER PLAYERS BOYTT PRI NIGHT

Prokop, who was drafted by the Nashville Predators last year, me out as gay wh a heartfelt statement to fans this week, an admissn he said he hoped would improve gay visibily wh the hockey muny. * nhl player comes out gay *

Wnipeg LGBTQ advot disappoted followg NHL's cisn to ban themed jerseysYou are the first openly gay NHL agent, and I know you work wh many players, but you're also iends wh many players this league. Jt keepg foced on the posive, bee we n go down that rabb hole of five players of 700 … that's not a player's boytt of team's Pri night tribute 'disrpectful' to gay muny: agentCan you take back three years ago to what that was like for you on a personal level, given the role you play a huge league like the NHL, to e out?

I had a massive fear that I uldn't be succsful hockey and be gay, bee I didn't see anyone before me dog that. Unwele spotlight falls on NHL team Pri night eventsMy biggt fear was that I uldn't work hockey and be succsful and be gay, but fact 's been que the oppose.

If a certa percentage of the populatn is queer, we need to have those seats at the table of Hockey 's Pri nights lli wh LGBTQ+ polil climateEveryone always asked me when we were gog to see the first gay NHL player. There's an agent and a player that are gay and thrivg hockey, so why n't I? Jaguars assistant strength and ndng ach Kev Maxen is now the first openly gay male ach the NFL.

GAY MALE HOCKEY PLAYERS ARE G OUT DROV, AND CHANGG THE SPORT’S CULTURE

Le Prokop said feels much longer than a year sce he beme the first player unr ntract to an NHL team to e out as gay. * nhl player comes out gay *

(Jam Gilbert/Getty Imag)Jacksonville Jaguars assistant strength ach Kev Maxen me out publicly as gay Thursday, which mak him the first known openly gay male ach the NFL and all of Amerin men’s profsnal joed the Jaguars’ strength and ndng staff last season.

”Maxen is the latt the NFL to e out publicly as gay. Tampa Bay Bucneers fensive end Carl Nassib beme the league’s first active openly gay player when he me out 2021, when he was wh the Las Vegas Rairs. Former San Francis 49ers assistant Katie Sowers ma history as both the first woman and first openly gay ach a Super Bowl was a lebacker at Wtern Connecticut State, a Divisn III program.

LE PROKOP COM OUT AS GAY AND MAK NHL HISTORY

* nhl player comes out gay *

20-year-old Prokop, the first openly gay player wh a ntract unr the NHL, penned a thoughtful msage about players the league who have opposed wearg pri jerseys or g rabow stick tape durg their teams' annual pri events. Prokop me out as gay 2021, one year after beg selected by the Nashville team the 2020 NHL Draft.

"Today I am proud to publicly tell everyone that I am gay. A slew of players me out, and wh each announcement, showed gay people belong on the ice. Gay former hockey player Brock McGillis spoke to Outsports multiple tim this year about the prevalence of homophobia locker rooms.

NHL PROSPECT LE PROKOP OUT AS GAY, A FIRST FOR THE LEAGUE

Le Prokop, a Nashville Predators draft pick and Alberta native, announced Monday that he was "proud to publicly tell everyone that I am gay." * nhl player comes out gay *

Durg the quiet of the sprgtime sports shutdowns, two well-known NHL players, Stanley Cup champn Dt Penner and wger Brendan Leipsic, were ught postg horribly homophobic and misogynistic msag on social media. When I go speak, I humanize beg a gay man and playg hockey at high levels.

Thomas Aquas College Upstate New York, Fkle often heard other players e anti-gay slurs. Fkle told the goalie he was gay, and that language was unacceptable to e on the ice — or anywhere, ankly. There are more openly gay figur all around the world of men’s hockey.

This year alone, longtime NCAA Divisn 1 ref Brian Hicks announced he was gay; player and referee Gordie Mchard me out; pro announcer Jonathan Kliment penned his g-out story. After a lifetime of hearg gay sults the rk — opponents were always lled “cksuckers” or “fuckg fags” — Wton cid to e out to his teammat a heartfelt speech.

PROKOP REFLECTS ON YEAR SCE G OUT AS GAY

Le Prokop ma history Monday, beg the first player unr ntract to an NHL team to e out as gay. * nhl player comes out gay *

Over the last , an creasg number of gay female Olympic hockey players have e out.

He was playg an ele youth league, but years of homophobia and self-hatred drove him away om the sport. And if someone asks if you are gay, jt look at them olly and say, ‘Yeah, so what? Le Prokop, a prospect for the Nashville Predators, me out as gay on Monday.

Nashville Predators prospect Le Prokop has e out as gay, beg the first active player unr ntract to an NHL team to do so. High-level female hockey players, such as Olympic gold medalist Meghan Duggan, have prevly e out as gay, acrdg to the league.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS PROSPECT LE PROKOP OUT AS GAY: "I AM NO LONGER SRED"

Predators prospect Le Prokop has bee the first active player unr NHL ntract to say he is gay, tellg ESPN that he wanted to share this publicly to help him play his bt hockey. * nhl player comes out gay *

Prokop's announcement ls than a month after Las Vegas Rairs fensive end Carl Nassib beme the first active NFL player to e out as gay. Natnal Hockey League prospect Le Prokop me out as gay via a heartfelt statement to fans Monday, sayg he hoped would improve gay visibily wh the hockey muny. “I hope that sharg who I am I n help other people see that gay people are wele the hockey muny, as we work to make sure that hockey is tly for everyone, ” he wrote.

Prokop hasn’t played an NHL game yet, but if he do, he’ll jo que a small club: There have only been two openly gay active players the four largt US sports leagu – Carl Nassib of the NFL’s Las Vegas Rairs, who me out last month, and Jason Colls, an NBA veteran who me out 2013 and retired the followg season. Homophobic language is often ed among ach and players on youth sports teams. This n evolve to lastg homophobic attus or e gay players to hi their sexualy om their teammat, said Erik Denison, a behavral scientist and lead rearcher on the Sport Incln Project at Monash Universy Atralia, a June terview wh CNN.

NHL PROSPECT LE PROKOP ANNOUNC HE'S GAY

Nashville Predators fenseman Le Prokop has bee the first player unr NHL ntract to announce he is gay * nhl player comes out gay *

The play-by-play broadster for Uti, the New Jersey Devils' Amerin Hockey League affiliate, publicly me out as gay October 2021, fluenced by Prokop's cisn. "I want to be the first openly gay player to play the NHL, " he said.

Nashville Predators prospect Le Prokop out as gay: "I am no longer sred". Nashville Predators prospect Le Prokop announced Monday on social media that he's gay, sayg he "uldn't be happier" wh his cisn to e out. Prokop, who last played wh the Calgary Hman of the Wtern Hockey League, revealed that he's gay posts on Instagram and Twter.

PREDATORS PROSPECT PROKOP OUT AS GAY, MAK NHL HISTORY

Today I am proud to publicly tell everyone that I am gay. Prokop said he hop his announcement "n help other people see that gay people are wele the hockey muny.

Statement om NHL Commissner Gary Bettman on Le Prokop’s (@leprokop_6) cisn to publicly e out as gay: — NHL (@NHL) July 19, 2021.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS PROSPECT LE PROKOP SAYS HE IS GAY, HOP LIVG 'THENTIC LIFE' HELPS NHL REER

Last month, Carl Nassib ma history by beg the first openly gay active NFL player. HockeyLe Prokop, a Nashville Predators draft pick and Alberta native, announced Monday that he was "proud to publicly tell everyone that I am gay.

(Vghn Ridley/Getty Imag)Le Prokop, a Nashville Predators draft pick and Alberta native, announced Monday that he was "proud to publicly tell everyone that I am gay. "Prokop be the first active player unr NHL ntract to e out as gay. The six-foot-five fenceman was drafted the third round by the Nashville Predators the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and signed a pro ntract wh the anchise | Nashville Predators draft pick Le Prokop announc he is gay:NHL prospect Le Prokop out as gayLe Prokop, 19, a draft pick for the Nashville Predators, has bee the first player unr an NHL ntract to e out as Predators praised Prokop's urage on Monday and said they will "support him unequivolly the days, weeks, and years to e as he ntu to velop as a prospect.

"Prokop's announcement was -ordated wh an article published on The Athletic's webse about his difficult a 'laggard' on homophobia sports, studi showWhile both gay male and female athlet have wrtled wh difficult cisns over the years, men's profsnal sports leagu have generally been void of active, open gay players. Earlier this summer, Carl Nassib of the Las Vegas Rairs beme the first active NFL player to announce he was gay, wh the team's full support. Several NFL players have revealed they were gay after their playg reers were over, while Michael Sam did so his draft year, playg the 2014 preason wh the Los Angel Rams before beg cut.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS PROSPECT LE PROKOP OUT, BE FIRST OPENLY GAY PLAYER NHL HISTORY

Billy Bean, who is gay, wrote a 2003 book about the challeng of tryg to navigate an MLB reer the 1980s and 1990s while keepg his sexualy a secret. I hope that sharg who I am I n help other people see that gay people are wele the hockey muny, as we work to make sure that hockey tly is for everyone. "Vio: Le Prokop out as first gay player the NHLThe rponse om the NHL was immediate, startg wh NHL Commissner Gary Bettman, who spoke to Prokop by phone.

PREDATORS’ LE PROKOP BE FIRST PLAYER ON NHL NTRACT TO E OUT AS GAY

I want to live the way I want to, and I want to accept myself as a gay man.

'"Prokop began g out to some fay members and teammat this past year and told Predators management he was gay June. ""I hope that sharg who I am I n help other people see that gay people are wele the hockey muny, as we work to make sure that hockey is tly for everyone, " Prokop wrote.

Nashville Predators prospect Le Prokop announced on Monday he's gay, beg the first player unr an NHL ntract to publicly e out. Before Prokop's announcement, no NHL player – active or retired – had e out as gay.

WHY THERE ARE FEW OPENLY GAY ATHLET IN MEN'S PROFSNAL SPORTS

" "I hope that sharg who I am I n help other people see that gay people are wele the hockey muny, " he add. "Bettman and NHL Players Associatn Executive Director Don Fehr also offered public support to Prokop on Monday followg his 's announcement on the heels of Las Vegas Rairs fensive end Carl Nassib g out as gay and beg the first active NFL player to be publicly out.

*BEAR-MAGAZINE.COM* NHL PLAYER COMES OUT GAY

Predators prospect Prokop out as gay, mak NHL history | .

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