Professional gay

However, Lombardi would eventually fire McDonald for showing up late to a meeting, and the back would never play pro ball again. Kopay released a best-selling autobiography a couple years after that, but find himself an outcast in the football world for decadesdenied a chance to coach because of his sexuality even in the late s.

Kwame Harris played five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and one with Oakland Raiders before retiring from the sport after the season.

NHL still only major : Supportive allies are warmly welcomed

But even in that final interview, he declined to "elaborate on his life style," as the Post put it. Coach Vince Lombardi had apparently confided in Smith that he knew of his sexuality but would never let it impact him negatively; Lombardi's brother was also gay.

Smith was part of a star Redskins lineup during the late s. This is a list of notable, openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, and transgender sportspeople as well as those who identify as belonging to the broader queer community. So, with more and more football stars coming out and authentically living in their truths, has the future finally charged onto the turf?

Six years after playing his last professional, a Super Bowl, he came out on Donahue in Simmons, gay was HIV-positive, died of complications from pneumonia in InWashington Redskins running back Ray McDonald was arrested for having sex with a man in public, just a year after the Redskins had drafted him in the first round.

After a career-ending injury inhe battled painkiller abuse and even wrote a suicide note, but after counseling decided to come out first to his family and then to the general public. He graced the cover of The Advocate a few months later.

By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. When Kansas State offensive tackle and NFL hopeful Scott Frantz came out to the nation as gayhe shared that his teammates to whom he'd come out earlier had warmly received the news, a sign the most alpha of locker rooms may finally be ready for equality.

19 Male Baseball Heroes : Robbie Roger / Instagram Consequently, Robbie came out as gay back in , and in , he married his longtime boyfriend, television writer-producer Greg Berlanti

Whether these famous Olympians, tennis greats, and basketball players came out after they retired, or revealed their sexuality during their sports careers, they’ve paved the. That's a quick shift considering retired NFL player Ryan O'Callaghan who came out shortly before Frantz shared that as recently as he'd contemplated taking his own life as a better option than letting his sexuality be disclosed while he still played ball.

Thanks to these prominent athletes who are gay, the sports world is becoming more and more accepting of homosexual players. In ensuing years, the player's homsexuality would be documented posthumously, notably in a short NFL documentary.

So Coach Vince Lombardi knew McDonald was gay when he took over leadership of the team inbut made clear there would be no discrimination in his locker roomthose close to the legend say. Running back Dave Kopay, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers inwould play for five teams before hanging up his jersey in He would become the first major professional athlete to come out in any sport, telling his story to the Washington Star in -- three years after his retirement.

He would come out to HBO Sports inwhere he discussed laughing off gay jokes and slurs for years while he played ball.

His career 60 touchdowns would set a record among tight ends that would stand for 26 years. A defensive tackle, journeyman Esera Tualo would play for five teams over nine seasons, with his longest run on the Minnesota Vikings. Here's a list of players in college and pro football who have proved you can be gay or bi and still run the gauntlet.

Ryan O'Callaghan, an offensive tackle with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, came out to OutSports in June ofrevealing that he had long contemplated suicide should he lose the chance to hide his sexuality with the mask of a macho sport.

Davis said he concealed his sexuality from teammates while he played. Pro football is becoming more inclusive of male players in the LGBTQ+ community. He eventually revealed he'd had a short relationship with a closeted Jerry Smith.