Who is gay in the nfl

The NFL has played for more than years and there have been 16 gay or bi players to come out publicly. To only have 16 out players among the thousands who have been on preseason, practice squad or regular season NFL rosters 23, and counting in a survey done in is barely a blip and shows the stigma that still surrounds people who play football.

Over the years, Outsports has known of a few other players who are gay but have never come out, even when retired. Dave Kopay was the first player to come out, in , three years after retiring after a nine-year career.

Despite their small numbers, these 16 are trailblazers and have inspired many LGBTQ people in sports and every walk of life, so they are to be applauded. Jerry Smith : Tight end with the Redskins. Ray McDonald : Running back. Roy Simmons : Offensive lineman with the Giants and Redskins.

Jeff Rohrer : Linebacker with the Dallas Cowboys. Kwame Harris : Offensive lineman with the 49ers and Raiders. He started five games and appeared in Before Nassib began his NFL career, he was one of the best defensive players in college football as a senior. He did not play his first two seasons, but appeared in double-digit games as a redshirt sophomore and junior before getting the starting assignment as a senior.

His final year showed off his NFL-ready talents. He totaled The accolades came pouring in. He was also named a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy and the Bednarik Award both given to the best defensive player in the nation and the Burlsworth Trophy given to the top walk-on.

Raiders v Ravens. American Football. Patriots 1m ago. Cardinals v Panthers 11m ago. Packers vs. Seahawks live score, updates, highlights as Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson return.

Packers v Seahawks 28m ago. In , he became the first openly gay player in the Canadian Football League when he spent a season with the Montreal Alouettes. In , NFL free agent Ryan Russell came out as bisexual but has not been picked up by any team since doing so. And football, perhaps more than any other U. This is where misogyny comes into play, manifesting in a culture of homophobia. This culture is crushing to the queer men who are trying to navigate it, often making them feel like they need to hide their true selves in order to play the sport they love.

Football, perhaps more than any other U. Hiding this truth can have devastating consequences.