Collin Martin feels more confident than ever as an out gay athlete now chasing the playoffs

Collin Martin has experienced many complexities of coming out in men’s sports. Yet the out gay athlete still thinks the current situation of invisibility is “crazy” in the U.S. major leagues.

The total number of active players on rosters in the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and MLS combined in any one season is around 5,000.

Six years ago, Martin became the sole representation for gay and bi men in elite soccer at that time, when he came out publicly while with Minnesota United. Carl Nassib has since come out and gone in the NFL.

Martin’s professional career has prospered at the second-tier USL Championship. In 2024, he’s been a mainstay of the North Carolina FC midfield in what is his first campaign with the club.

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A post shared by Collin Martin (@cm7md)

Saturday marks the conclusion of the regular season, with Martin and his teammates needing a result at home to Las Vegas Lights to be sure of reaching the playoffs.

Naturally, that’s where his focus is firmly at — but he’s nonetheless puzzled by the big picture, as it stands.

“I do think it’s crazy that there’s not any out male athlete at the five major league sports in America,” Martin says on a new episode of the Football v Homophobia Podcast.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily anything that society is doing to hold that back — there’s been enough people that have broken down the barriers. So it’s perplexing, for sure.”

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There’s no getting away from the fact that being visible is unappealing for the overwhelming majority of athletes who relate to Martin on that level.

He remains of the view that there will be a few who are “exploring or living out their sexuality but in privacy” and says that is entirely understandable.

Yet he hopes they understand in return that he’s very happy indeed to be out — living with his boyfriend, surrounded at his club by supportive teammates and staff, and with family closer nearby since his switch from San Diego, where he spent four seasons with the Loyal.

“Moving across the country, into a home with my partner, I feel like this is a whole new level in my professional life,” says Martin, who will celebrate his 30th birthday in early November.

“This is my 12th season and I’m trying to establish what that means for me. But I can definitely say that I’m grateful for everything that’s come and I’m just trying to soak it all in too, because you never know how long you’re going to play for.”

Collin Martin ‘won’t shy away’

In his own words, Martin is a “steady” influence in the North Carolina engine room and his value can be measured in two milestones achieved in 2024 — he’s now featured in more than 150 USL regular-season games in his career, and played more than 10,000 minutes.

He’s frustrated he hasn’t scored yet this year although he has contributed four assists and no one in the team has started more matches.

His close friend Evan Conway made the same transfer from California to Cary, which was a big help. Martin thanks their teammates for making them both feel appreciated, especially during the early and midseason “rollercoaster” of mixed results.

Name a more iconic duo. We'll wait. pic.twitter.com/iPil6dY7Yv— North Carolina FC (@NorthCarolinaFC) October 22, 2024

Beyond the pitch, he continues to put his energies into projects and partnerships with a purpose, as reflected on the Outsports Power 100 list, where he has risen more than 30 places.

“I don’t take my being out lightly and I know that I can make a difference in different ways,” says Martin.

“Sometimes I’m having more of an impact on my locker room itself and what that means to be an out player there, as the representative of a large diverse community, just trying to change hearts and minds.

“And for those watching and coming to our games, I hope my story makes someone feel more comfortable to continue to play in the sport.

“That’s what it’s about for me and that’s why I won’t shy away from continuing to try to do that work, and to try to be very open about what it means to be a gay player.”

On the podcast episode, Martin talks about his boyfriend Zach Ware, who is also an athlete in the Hyrox fitness racing disciplines.

Ware is currently training hard for next month’s competition in Dallas, which will be his first at that level.

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A post shared by Zach Ware (@zgware)

“He works out way more than I do!” laughs Martin. “He’s busy building a company, in commercial real estate, but he’s got a heavy interest in the fitness and health world, so it helps that he’s the cook in the house and is very health conscious.

“We moved in earlier this year and have outfitted a home here in Raleigh and I think we’ve both grown a ton this year. It’s the first time I’ve moved in with a partner, and the same with him.

“We’re figuring it out, on the go. But we’ve got a nice little life and I have to thank him for everything that he does for me.”

Should Martin and his North Carolina FC colleagues make the playoffs, they will be guaranteed a tricky away tie in the quarterfinals, with the Eastern Conference having been at a high standard this season.

Longer term, Martin has plenty left to give, whether that’s minutes on the pitch or advocacy on behalf of the community.

“I’ve got another year on my contract, so I’ll continue playing and I hope to continue to be the out player that we need and a shining example of what that visibility means.”

You can hear more from Collin by listening to the full episode of the Football v Homophobia Podcast.

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