KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 22: Travis Kelce #87 and Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs talk before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
In the 105-year history of the National Football League (NFL), only 16 players have publicly come out as gay or bisexual, a strikingly small number given the league’s immense popularity and the countless players who have graced its rosters. These individuals have played pivotal roles in helping to challenge the long-standing stigma and homophobia that has surrounded the sport. As such, their courage in publicly identifying as LGBTQ+ is an important and evolving chapter in the history of professional football.
This piece will explore the stories of these players, the challenges they faced, and how their coming out helped push the NFL toward a more inclusive future. The history of LGBTQ+ athletes in football is complex and intersects with broader social movements, including civil rights activism, the push for equality, and the ongoing battle for acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in traditionally conservative spaces like sports.
Early History: LGBTQ+ Athletes in the Closet
In the early years of the NFL, homosexuality was a taboo subject that was never publicly addressed. The sport, like much of American society, was largely influenced by traditional gender roles and heteronormative values. The LGBTQ+ community faced societal rejection and was often subjected to stigma, discrimination, and even violence. Professional athletes in the NFL, especially in the mid-to-late 20th century, had to navigate a climate where their sexual orientation could cost them their careers, endorsements, and respect.
In these early decades, there are few documented cases of openly gay or bisexual players. Many of the players who may have been LGBTQ+ kept their identities hidden for fear of career consequences. The NFL, like most sports leagues, was dominated by a hyper-masculine culture, and any deviation from that mold was often considered unacceptable.
Despite this, there were notable pioneers and whispers of LGBTQ+ representation even in the NFL’s early days. While no player officially came out during this time, there were rumors of gay players, and in the 1970s and 1980s, there began to be more talk about LGBTQ+ athletes in sports more generally, especially with the rise of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States.
The Turning Point: Coming Out in the 21st Century
The first major breakthrough came in 2014 when Michael Sam, a defensive lineman from the University of Missouri, came out publicly before the NFL Draft. Sam had been the SEC (Southeastern Conference) Co-Defensive Player of the Year and had made a name for himself as a talented player. His announcement was met with a wave of both support and backlash, marking a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ visibility in football.
Michael Sam’s coming out was groundbreaking in several ways. It occurred during an era when the NFL was still predominantly straight and hyper-masculine, and many feared that a publicly gay player would never be accepted in the league. However, Sam’s courage in sharing his identity sparked conversations about representation, diversity, and inclusion in the NFL. It also highlighted how the landscape for LGBTQ+ players was changing.
Despite being drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 2014 NFL Draft, Sam’s time in the NFL was brief. He was cut from the Rams’ roster and was later briefly on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. However, Sam’s role in advancing LGBTQ+ visibility in sports cannot be overstated. His coming out marked a shift in how professional sports leagues would handle LGBTQ+ athletes.
The Significance of Coming Out
The story of Michael Sam was significant, but it was also just the beginning. Sam’s experience demonstrated the challenges faced by openly LGBTQ+ players, but it also highlighted the slow progress that was being made in the broader fight for inclusion in sports.
In the years following Sam’s announcement, more NFL players began to come out, though these players were often either already retired or near the end of their careers. The visibility of Sam’s story helped open doors for others who might have been too fearful to speak out. His story also put pressure on the NFL, which had long been resistant to any significant conversations around LGBTQ+ inclusion, to step up its efforts in creating a safer, more accepting environment for LGBTQ+ players.
A notable moment in this regard came in 2020 when Carl Nassib, a defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, became the first active NFL player to come out as gay. Nassib’s announcement, which he made through a social media video, was another landmark event in NFL history. In his message, Nassib spoke candidly about his sexuality and also encouraged others to be proud of who they are. His coming out was met with widespread support from his teammates, coaches, and the NFL organization as a whole.
Nassib’s announcement was significant not only because of the context in which it occurred—while still playing professionally—but also due to the fact that the NFL took immediate steps to show support. The NFL, which had been criticized for its lack of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the past, publicly praised Nassib for his courage and commitment to creating a more inclusive environment in the league. The NFL’s response was a clear signal that the league was beginning to embrace the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that it had not before.
Other Notable LGBTQ+ Athletes in the NFL
In addition to Sam and Nassib, several other former players have come out publicly, contributing to the growing visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals in professional football. These athletes, though not actively playing at the time of their announcements, have made significant contributions to the conversation around LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.
Kwame Harris, a former NFL offensive lineman, came out as gay in 2013, after retiring from the NFL. Harris was one of the first retired NFL players to publicly share his story, revealing that he had struggled with his sexuality during his playing career. His bravery in sharing his journey helped pave the way for others to feel comfortable with their identities.
Esera Tuaolo, a former NFL player, came out as gay in 2002 after his retirement. Tuaolo’s revelation was a significant moment in the NFL’s history, as he was one of the few openly gay players from the 1990s. His announcement was groundbreaking not only because of his status as a former player but also because it was made during a time when there was a great deal of homophobia in sports.
Other players who have made important contributions to the visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes include Ryan O’Callaghan, a former NFL offensive lineman who came out in 2017, and Nyle DiMarco, a former NFL player and advocate for the deaf community who also came out publicly about his sexuality.
The NFL’s Evolving Approach to LGBTQ+ Inclusion
The NFL’s approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion has evolved significantly in recent years, partly due to the bravery of players like Sam, Nassib, and others. The league has made efforts to foster a more inclusive and welcoming environment, especially through campaigns such as the NFL’s “Inspire Change” initiative. This initiative focuses on addressing social justice issues, including LGBTQ+ rights, and aims to provide resources and support to marginalized communities.
Additionally, the NFL has increasingly partnered with LGBTQ+ organizations to advocate for inclusivity. For example, the league has worked with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to improve its policies regarding LGBTQ+ players and fans, as well as its overall stance on LGBTQ+ issues. The NFL has also embraced Pride Month by featuring rainbow-colored logos and making statements of support for the LGBTQ+ community during major events like the Super Bowl.
Challenges and the Future
Despite the progress that has been made, the path toward full acceptance of LGBTQ+ players in the NFL is not without challenges. There remain significant barriers, including homophobia in locker rooms, a lack of support from some fan bases, and the challenge of changing entrenched cultural attitudes within the sport. It’s clear that LGBTQ+ players will continue to face unique struggles in a sport that has long been resistant to change.
However, the experiences of players like Michael Sam and Carl Nassib have shown that change is possible. While there is still much work to be done, the visibility of LGBTQ+ players in the NFL is helping to create a more inclusive environment. As more players come out, the hope is that the culture surrounding football will continue to shift, creating a space where LGBTQ+ athletes are accepted and celebrated.
The 105-year history of the NFL may be relatively young in comparison to other sports, but the journey toward inclusion for LGBTQ+ players has already been marked by significant milestones. Each player who comes out, whether active or retired, adds another chapter to this evolving history, inspiring future generations to be authentic and proud, both on and off the field.
