This is a list of notable, openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, and queer -identifying athletes associated with American Football, namely the NFL. 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. Running back Dave Kopay, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers in There have been 16 gay or bi players come out publicly in the NFL, which is in its th season.
Carl Nassib was No. 16 and the first one to come out as gay while on an active roster. Several former National Football League players have publicly shared their experiences of coming out. Dorien Bryant's story began with his mother's discovery. Carl Nassib became the first openly gay player to participate in an NFL game. Dave Kopay revealed his sexuality in How many gay or bi-sexual players have played in the NFL over the past years?
Outsports breaks down the list of 16 players, who have openly come out publicly. No current or former NHL player has ever come out as gay or bisexual.
He then decided to officially come out and looking back says he wishes he had the courage to do it sooner. Critics of LGBT individuals who come out publicly often decry that they do not care. While he hadn't planned on opening up about his sexuality, he was outed after a domestic dispute with his then-boyfriend landed him in jail in By Frankie de la Cretaz. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 45 2 Traina, J.
Messner, M. For an optimal are there any openly gay men in the nfl visit our site on another browser. The Journal of Sex Research, 13 1 This subjective and influential process is commonly referred to as media framing by scholars Accordingly, they may have not commented for fear of public backlash, particularly on online sites and via social media 17, A hero or sissy? One study 18 found U. Football is bisexual. New York: Free Press.
By Nassib emphasizing the rationale for his announcement on the Trevor Project and media also focusing on the connection between Nassib and the organization, no such criticisms were found in the examined articles. Football is tough. Honestly, I hope they are. Nassib Goes Public to Help At-risk Youths Nassib came out through a video post on his Instagram page with no advanced warning from Nassib himself or any external source.
Are there really any gay male athletes? Critical Studies in Mass Communication, 8 3 He retired in after playing in 22 games with the Nets while out, less than half the season full season. Carl Nassib uttered it so nonchalantly — almost like a shrug. In fact, the NFL has had more current or former players come out as gay or bisexual than the other three most popular U. During our celebrations of Nassib, we have to acknowledge how long he had to sit with this secret — an agonizing 15 years.
This is where misogyny comes into play, manifesting in a culture of homophobia. Frankie de la Cretaz is a freelance writer whose work focuses on the intersection of sports, gender and culture.
The NFL has existed for years, and in that time, there has never been a player on an active NFL roster who has publicly acknowledged his gayness.
Copyright ©itether.pages.dev 2025