Football players gay
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For some, it comes after their playing days are over, while others take the bold step of coming out while still active in professional soccer. Robbie Rogers
Rogers’ name will forever be associated with courage and breaking barriers. A semi-pro player in England, Davis became the first openly gay footballer to play at Wembley when his team, Cleethorpes Town FC, reached the FA Vase final in 2017.
Unlike many players who face constant harassment for their sexuality, he encountered minimal homophobic abuse on the field.
He told ESPN his declining play may have been due to the pressures of hiding who he was. Australia may be known for its laid-back culture, but homophobia in sports is no joke, and Cavallo experienced his share of abuse from game-goers and social media trolls.
But Cavallo is determined not to let hate win.
It's only a matter of time before more embrace their sexualities in public.
While the NFL has done a better job showing it supports the LGBTQ+ community, it's up to the players and coaches who make up the NFL locker rooms to truly create a safe place where all are welcome. In 2013, the LA Galaxy player and former US international became one of the most high-profile footballers to come out as gay.
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There have been 16 gay or bi players come out publicly in the NFL, which is in its 106th season. You are gladiators; you are male; you kick butt."
Jeff Rohrer (1982-89)
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
What would you say if I told you a former Dallas Cowboy married the man of his dreams?
Michael Sam made history as the first openly gay player to be drafted by a professional football team in 2014, when the St. Louis Rams recruited him. He also recorded the final tackle of John Elway's career in Super Bowl XXXIII.
Tuaolo publicly came out in 2002. Pacifici’s coming out was met with overwhelming support, not only from the soccer community but also from his family, friends, and fans.
Ferretti, who once held a reputation for being one of the longest-consecutively-playing goalkeepers in Brazil, has proven that his biggest save might just be the one off the pitch—his integrity.
It took years for him to feel comfortable sharing his truth with the world, but his decision to do so has been a step forward for gay representation in South American sports, especially in a country with conservative views on homosexuality.
6.
Identifies as bisexual.
Carl Nassib (2016-22): Defensive lineman with the Browns, Buccaneers and Raiders.
Attended training camp
Wade Davis (2000-03): Wide receiver with the Titans, Seahawks and Washington.
Dorien Bryant (2008): Wide receiver with the Steelers.
Martin Jenkins (1977): Defensive back with the Seahawks.
Brad Thorson (2011): Offensive lineman with the Cardinals.
Michael Sam (2014): Defensive end with the Rams.
While he never made as many headlines as some of the others on this list, his story is important because it represents the countless athletes who feel compelled to wait until the spotlight has dimmed to come out.
His quiet courage still made waves in the soccer community, particularly in Australia, where the sporting culture has often been less than welcoming to LGBTQ+ athletes.
Matt Pacifici
A former goalkeeper for Columbus Crew in the MLS, came out as gay in 2019, long after a knee injury had ended his career. He knows this because many of them have reached out to him. He was sexually assaulted by a man he didn't know well when he was a young boy. He died of AIDS complications in 1986, becoming the first former pro athlete known to die of AIDS.
He told The Washington Post 51 days before he died that he was battling the disease because he wanted some good to come from it.
Ray McDonald (1967-68)
AP Photo/JRT
Washington's first-round pick in 1967, Ray McDonald didn't have a lengthy career but had a tragic story.
He was "late" to a team meeting by coach Vince Lombardi's standards in 1969, and that cost him his job.
He's still in the game in his own way: he hosted a Super Bowl Inclusion Party two years ago, which was sponsored by the "Hate Is Wrong" anti-bullying organization.
Wade Davis (2000-03)
AP Photo/Scott Eisen
Davis never played in a regular-season NFL game, but he attended training camp for teams like the Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins.
He paved the way for other NFL players (and football players at every level) still living in the closet in fear of how their teammates and coaches will respond.
We know there are others in the league that are afraid to do the same. Ryan O'Callaghan, the former New England Patriots offensive lineman who came out after his career, has said that there is likely at least one closeted player on every roster.
Either way, the bravery of these players speaks volumes,
Here are 18 players who made headlines not just for their skills but for coming out as gay or bisexual.
1. He's served as a Gay Games Ambassador. Zander Murray
Murray, a striker for Scottish club Gala Fairydean Rovers, came out as gay in September 2022, making him the first openly gay male footballer in Scottish football since Justin Fashanu.
However, 32 of them said they had teammates or coaches use a homophobic slur and 25 said an openly gay player would feel comfortable in an NFL locker room.
Nassib was far from the first gay player to wear an NFL uniform, he's merely just the first one to come out while playing.