Outsports

There have been 16 out gay and bi football players in the NFL’s 105-year history

Carl Nassib is the first and still only to ever play a down as openly gay, but the rest are still trailblazers. The post There have been 16 out gay and bi football players in the NFL’s 105-year history appeared first on Outsports.

Mark

Sep 13, 2024 - 20:00

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There have been 16 out gay and bi football players in the NFL’s 105-year history

There have been 16 gay or bi players come out publicly in the NFL, which starts its 105th season in 2024.

Carl Nassib was No. 16 and the first one to come out as gay while on an active roster. After being cut by the Raiders following the 2021 season, Nassib signed on Aug. 15, 2022, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team he played for in 2018 and 2019. Nassib played with the Bucs in 2022 and retired from the NFL on Sept. 6, 2023.

As we enter the 2024 season, there are no out gay NFL players, but there is one out coach — Kevin Maxen, associate strength coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

To only have 16 out players among the thousands who have been on preseason, practice squad or regular season NFL rosters (23,000 and counting in a survey done in 2014) 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 1975, three years after retiring after a nine-year career.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Carl Nassib (94) sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium in 2022. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

“There’s a few of us that paved the way and it makes me incredibly happy,” Kopay said about Nassib playing in the regular season.

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.

Here is the list of football players in the NFL who have come out:

Michael Sam, left, was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2014. David Kopay, right, was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1964 and played nine seasons in the NFL. Photo by Jim Buzinski

Played in a regular season game

Dave Kopay (1964-72): Running back with the 49ers, Lions, Washington, Saints, and Packers.

Jerry Smith (1965-77): Tight end with Washington. The NFL Network produced a documentary on Smith being gay.

Ray McDonald (1967-68): Running back with Washington.

Roy Simmons (1979-83): Offensive lineman with the Giants and Redskins.

Jeff Rohrer (1982-89): Linebacker with the Dallas Cowboys.

Esera Tuaolo (1991-99: Defensive tackle with the Packers, Vikings, Jaguars, Falcons and Panthers. Played in the Super Bowl with the 1998 Falcons.

Kwame Harris (2003-08): Offensive lineman with the 49ers and Raiders.

Ryan O’Callaghan (2006-11): Offensive lineman with the Patriots and Chiefs. Played in the Super Bowl with the 2007 Patriots.

Ryan Russell (2015-17, spent 2018 in Bills camp): Defensive lineman with the Buccaneers and Cowboys. Identifies as bisexual.

Carl Nassib (2016-22): Defensive lineman with the Browns, Buccaneers and Raiders.

Kansas City Chiefs tackle Ryan O’Callaghan (right) defends against Oakland Raiders linebacker Thomas Howard (53) at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in 2009. O’Callaghan blocked for Tom Brady while with the New England Patriots and Aaron Rodgers while at Cal. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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. Also on the Cowboys practice squad.

Colton Underwood (2014-20): Tight end had preseason or practice squad stints with the Chargers, Eagles and Raiders.

2020 update

In October, Martin Jenkins, a former defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks, was nominated to the California Supreme Court. Jenkins is gay and this was the the first time he widely discussed his sexual orientation.