How many gay people are in the nfl
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That's what Jeff Rohrer did in 2018, when he used the engagement to also come out. "I know that 30 isn't the be-all-end-all ... That stood as the position's all-time record by the time he retired.
Smith reportedly came out to his family in secret after retiring. Much like Smith, McDonald died of AIDS complications in 1993.
The Minnesota Vikings also rebranded their Viking logo in rainbow colors.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers posted they "are proud to support pride month" and implored fans to join them at events this month, including the St. Pete Pride Parade and the Grand Central Street Fair.
The Chargers similarly provided a gay pride page on their website that includes Chargers gay pride wallpaper, a "coming out handbook" and a gay calendar of events.
The Rams say they are "encouraging our fans to join us in celebrating the LBTQ+ community this month and all year long!" The Rams, who in 2014 selected Michael Sam as the first openly gay player drafted by the NFL, have never encouraged fans to celebrate the straight community on social media.
The San Francisco 49ers, meanwhile, "stand united in honoring love, identity and the power of authenticity" this month under the pride flag.
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Written by Armando Salguero
Armando Salguero is a national award-winning columnist and is OutKick's Senior NFL Writer.
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. 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 bounced around on a few NFL practice squads before becoming a TV star. He's served as a Gay Games Ambassador. Also on the Cowboys practice squad.
Colton Underwood (2014-20): Tight end had preseason or practice squad stints with the Chargers, Eagles and Raiders.
I am sure that list is a lot bigger, but the players have not all come out publicly.
The response he got was overwhelmingly positive.
Colton Underwood (2014-16)
Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Before he was famous for jumping the fence and making Cassie's life a living hell on a wild season of "The Bachelor," he was donning an NFL jersey. That was the extent of his NFL career.
My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. He identifies as bisexual, which makes him part of the LGBTQ+ community He briefly played defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys. Smith moved to Austin, Texas, in the 1980s and opened a gay bar.
That one starts out by saying there are "an infinite number of gender pronouns" beyond he, she, they, ze, hir and zir.
The Bills are also encouraging Bills Mafia, their rabid fan base, to give Bills Mafia Rainbow dads a follow on Instagram.
And yes, the Bills changed their X platform avatar to rebrand their Buffalo in rainbow colors.
But the Bills weren't alone in embracing gay pride.
Lions, Vikings, Bills Change Colors For Gay Pride
The Lions didn't actually send a post for gay pride month but changed their avatar on X to a Lion in rainbow colors, joining the Bills.
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.
Outsports breaks down the list of 16 players, who have openly come out publicly. The 2003 first-round pick played in 86 games for the 49ers and Raiders.
Aloha" was a big, 277-pound defensive tackle for the Packers and Vikings, among other teams. We call them diamonds in the rough. He came out in a blog post in 2014, thanking athletes like Michael Sam and Jason Collins for helping him gain the courage. He quit football and became a lawyer after earning a degree from the University of San Francisco Law School in 1980.
They also got considerable push back.