Kwame Harris (2003-08): Offensive lineman with the 49ers and Raiders. Jeff Rohrer (1982-89): Linebacker with the Dallas Cowboys.Įsera Tuaolo (1991-99: Defensive tackle with the Packers, Vikings, Jaguars, Falcons and Panthers. Roy Simmons (1979-83): Offensive lineman with the Giants and Redskins. The NFL Network produced a documentary on Smith being gay. Jerry Smith (1965-77): Tight end with the Redskins. Denver Post via Getty Images Played in a regular season gameĭave Kopay (1964-72): Running back with the 49ers, Lions, Redskins, Saints, and Packers. Here is the list of football players in the NFL who have come out: Dave Kopay, shown in 1977, played for nine seasons in the NFL. “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.ĭespite 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. Dave Kopay was the first player to come out, in 1975, three years after retiring after a nine-year career. Over the years, Outsports has known of a few other players who are gay but have never come out, even when retired.
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. 16 and the first one to come out as gay while on an active roster. He said he didn't have as many issues when he was in college because he was mostly focused on his playing and getting to the NFL.The NFL has played for more than 100 years and there have been 16 gay or bi players to come out publicly.Īs the 2021 NFL season kicks off, Carl Nassib of the Las Vegas Raiders is No.
In this segment, he talked about athletes deserving to get paid, particularly given the disadvantaged circumstances many come from. It creates a difficult, complex situation. You can talk about forcing players off the field when they're hurt, but sometimes you just can't tell what's going on. I think the NFL has been at fault for a variety of things related to the health issue, but I do agree that there is also an issue with players trying to hide things. This is not overly surprising, and one reason the health issue is so complicated in the NFL. He said he's hidden injuries because he has wanted to play and help his team. Vernon said that he's had three concussions in his career, and that while he does think about the long-term implications, he tries to stay positive about it, and hope for the best. As the "You Can Play" slogan goes, "If you can play, you can play." I imagine there were players on the Oilers (or other teams) who had a problem with a given player's sexuality, but they did not raise the issue because they knew those players could help them win a Super Bowl.Īnd really, that's all it should come down to: can this player help the team win a Super Bowl. But as some have said before, as long as the player(s) will help the team win, they don't care. I'm sure there have been other such instances where teammates knew or had an idea that certain players on the team were gay.
Of course, then we see comments like those from Chris Culliver and it sets back the optimism a little bit.Īt the same time, in December there was a report that two "key" members of the 1993 Houston Oilers were gay, and the entire locker room knew about it. The NFL has done a lot in recent years to try and make such players feel welcome, with teams joining the "You Can Play" movement. I do think we see major gay athletes coming out in the near future.
He talked about how he is a different person off the field than on.ĭavis said he thinks we'll see notable gay athletes in professional sports in the next five to six years, and that the NFL will be the first place we see it. He said he thinks Sherman is a good to go, but that he needs to learn to control his emotions a little better. He mentioned that Coach Harbaugh was extremely upset with the officials and the simple fact that the 49ers lost the game.ĭavis also addressed Richard Sherman's remarks. Vernon provided some basic insight into the post-game locker room scene after the 49ers lost to the Seahawks. He also spent some time chatting with Larry King on his show Larry King Now. Wes wrote yesterday about his guest appearance for The MMQB, and his questions of Roger Goodell at the Commissioner's annual "State of the NFL" press conference. San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis was in New York City over the past week, making the rounds to discuss a variety of topics.