As society seems to becoming more accepting of gay folks, the NFL seems to be following the same path.
Of course not all NFL players feel the same way….just as in general society, but there is good news.
It is Playoff time in the National Football League, and there is now news that all 12 teams in the playoffs have players and / or coaches that would vocally support a player if that player were to come out.
I am talking about some star, very popular players that shared this opinion.
Travis Kelce:
“Anybody in this world [can play]. I’m comfortable with who I am and I expect everyone to be comfortable with who they are. I respect people for their views and opinions.”
DeAndre Hopkins:
“I would be more than happy, I would greet them with open arms. They’re my teammates, that doesn’t make them any different.”
Terrell Suggs
Suggs then added that the rest of the team would welcome a gay teammate as well.”
Casey Hayward
“I’d be open arms to whoever. Can’t control what you feel, with who you want to be with, things like that. I’d be open to it, open arms to whoever.”
Andrew Luck
“It’s the 21st century and I know I would have absolutely no problem with [a gay teammate]. I hope no one would treat them any differently than any straight player, no special treatment -- he’s just another guy. It’s none of our business, sexual preference of people.
The attached article lists other supportive quotes from players as high profile as Nick Foles and Russell Wilson.
It is important to note that Six former players have come out publicly after they retired.
There has never been anyone who has been publicly out while playing in the NFL
If you’re interested in the topic Wikipedia has an interesting article on the topic.
Hopefully one day soon the NFL will turn the corner and have an out active player.