List of LGBT American football players explained

For a more in-depth discussion of the topic go here: Homosexuality in American Football.

This is a list of notable, openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, and queer-identifying athletes associated with American Football, namely the NFL. This includes those who were posthumously outed.

List of professional players

LGBT NFL players!Name!Years active!Play status!Position!Associated teams!Identity
Dave Kopay1964-1972Running back49ers, Lions, Redskins, Saints, PackersGay[1]
Jerry Smith1965-1977Tight EndWashington RedskinsGay[2]
Ray McDonald1967-1968Running backWashington RedskinsGay[3]
Roy Simmons1979-1983GuardGiants, RedskinsGay[4]
Jeff Rohrer1982-1989LinebackerDallas CowboysGay[5]
Esera Tuaolo1991-1999Defensive TacklePackers, Vikings, Jaguars, Falcons, PanthersGay[6]
Kwame Harris2003-2008Offensive Lineman49ers, RaidersGay[7]
Ryan O'Callaghan2006-2011Offensive LinemanPatriots, ChiefsGay[8]
Aaron Hernandez2010-2013Tight EndPatriotsBisexual[9] [10]
Ryan Russell2015-2017Defensive EndBuccaneers, Cowboys, BillsBisexual[11]
Carl Nassib2016-Defensive LinemanBrowns, Buccaneers, RaidersGay[12]
Wade Davis2000-2003Wide ReceiverTitans, Seahawks, RedskinsGay[13]
Dorien Bryant2008-2008Wide ReceiverSteelersGay[14]
Martin Jenkins1977-1977Defensive BackSeahawksGay[15]
Brad Thorson2011-2011Offensive LinemanCardinalsGay[16]
Michael Sam2014-2014Defensive EndRams, Cowboys [<nowiki/>[[Canadian Football League|CFL]] Alouettes 2015]‡Gay[17]
Colton Underwood2014-2020Tight EndChargers, Eagles, RaidersGay[18]

*Posthumously revealed to have been gay.

**First active NFL player to come out.[19]

†First openly gay player to be drafted by the NFL (did not make it onto the roster by the start of the playing season).

‡First openly gay man to play in a regular season game in the CFL[20]

△Played in a Regular Season Game

▲Attended Training Camp[21]

LGBT NWFA & FWA Players!Name!Years Active!Position!Associated Teams!Identity
Alissa Wykes2000-?Running BackLiberty BellesLesbian[22]

List of collegiate players

LGBT NCAA Football Players!Name!Position!College/University!Division!Identity
Conner MertensPlacekickerWillamette UniversityIIIBisexual[23]
Wyatt PertusetWide receiverCapital UniversityIIIGay[24]
Brian SimsDefensive tackleBloomsburg UniversityIIGay[25]
Jacob Van IttersumOffensive LinemanNorthwood UniversityIIBisexual[26]
Mason DarrowOffensive LinemanPrinceton UniversityIGay[27]
Scott FrantzOffensive tackleKansas State UniversityIGay[28]
Ed GallagherOffensive tackleUniversity of PittsburghIGay[29]
Alan GendreauPlacekickerMiddle Tennessee State UniversityIGay[30]
Bradley KimDefensive backAir Force AcademyIGay[31]
Chip SarafinOffensive linemanArizona State UniversityIGay[32]
Kennedy McDowellDefensive linemanColorado State UniversityIGay[33]
*First active collegiate football player to publicly come out.[34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dunlap. Alex. February 3, 2013. 'The NFL Beat': Lombardi and Kopay. 2021-06-29. www.austinchronicle.com. en-US.
  2. Web site: . "HE WAS ONE OF US". 2021-06-29. Sports Illustrated Vault SI.com. en-us.
  3. Book: Kroeger. Brooke. Brooke Kroeger. Passing [electronic resource]

    when people can't be who they are]

    . 2003. New York: Public Affairs. Internet Archive. 978-1-58648-287-9.
  4. News: Yardley. William. 2014-02-25. Roy Simmons, 57, Lineman Who Later Came Out as Gay, Dies. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-06-29. 0362-4331.
  5. Web site: Zeigler. Cyd. 2018-11-14. Gay former Dallas Cowboy Jeff Rohrer is marrying his boyfriend this Sunday. 2021-06-29. Outsports. en.
  6. News: A Gay Football Player, 'Alone in the Trenches'. 2021-06-29. NPR.org. en.
  7. Web site: 2013-05-29. NFL: A football career spent in the closet. 2021-06-29. ESPN.com. en.
  8. Web site: Zeigler. Cyd. 2017-06-20. Former Patriots and Chiefs tackle Ryan O'Callaghan comes out as gay. 2021-06-29. Outsports. en.
  9. Web site: Globe . The Boston . Aaron Hernandez hid secrets behind his smile . 2023-08-31 . BostonGlobe.com . en.
  10. Web site: Watch Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez Netflix Official Site . 2023-08-31 . www.netflix.com . en.
  11. Web site: Zeigler. Cyd. 2019-08-29. NFL free agent Ryan Russell comes out as bisexual. 2021-06-29. Outsports. en.
  12. News: Nassib. Carl. 2021-06-22. Carl Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay – video. en-GB. The Guardian. 2021-06-29. 0261-3077.
  13. Web site: Zeigler. Cyd. 2012-06-05. Wade Davis Comes Out As Gay. 2021-06-29. Outsports. en.
  14. Web site: 2013-11-19. Dorien Bryant: The NFL's Almost First Out Player G Philly. 2021-06-29. Philadelphia Magazine. en-US.
  15. Web site: Zeigler. Cyd. 2020-10-06. Gay former NFL player Martin Jenkins confirmed to Calif. Supreme Court. 2021-06-29. Outsports. en.
  16. Web site: Zeigler. Cyd. 2014-07-07. Former football player Brad Thorson is gay. 2021-06-29. Outsports. en.
  17. News: Branch. John. 2014-02-10. N.F.L. Prospect Michael Sam Proudly Says What Teammates Knew: He's Gay. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-06-29. 0362-4331.
  18. Web site: Zeigler. Cyd. 2020-04-02. Colton Underwood, former NFL prospect, now says he is gay. 2021-06-29. Outsports. en.
  19. Web site: Buzinski. Jim. 2021-06-21. Raiders player Carl Nassib comes out as gay, first ever. 2021-06-29. Outsports. en.
  20. Web site: August 7, 2015. Michael Sam is 1st openly gay man to play in CFL regular season game. June 29, 2021. CBC News.
  21. Web site: Buzinski. Jim. 2019-09-05. There have been 16 out gay and bi football players in the NFL's 102-year history. 2021-06-29. Outsports. en.
  22. Web site: Out in the field: pro footballer Alissa Wykes talks about breaking new ground for out lesbian athletes--and the flak she's gotten along the way. (Sports). - Free Online Library. 2021-06-30. www.thefreelibrary.com.
  23. Web site: Zeigler. Cyd. 2014-01-28. Conner Mertens came out to his college football team. Now he comes out publicly.. 2021-06-30. Outsports. en.
  24. Web site: Gay college football player now an Ohio high school coach. 2021-06-30. www.msn.com.
  25. Web site: 2013-01-15. Former college football captain was openly gay. 2021-06-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20130115104425/http://www.outsports.com/os/index.php/component/content/article/43-2009/228-former-college-football-captain-was-openly-gay. 2013-01-15.
  26. Web site: Paul. Tony. Northwood football player Jacob Van Ittersum comes out as bisexual. 2021-06-30. The Detroit News. en-US.
  27. Web site: Zeigler. Cyd. 2015-09-15. Princeton football player Mason Darrow comes out as gay four days before kickoff. 2021-06-30. Outsports. en.
  28. Web site: 2017-07-13. Gay K-State OT 'so accepted' after telling team. 2021-06-30. ESPN.com. en.
  29. Web site: 2009-02-17. Outsports: The Site for Gay Sports Fans and Athletes. 2021-06-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20090217172249/http://www.outsports.com/difference/gallagher.htm. 2009-02-17.
  30. News: Branch. John. 2013-04-23. A Potential Pioneer, Just Looking for a Job. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-06-30. 0362-4331.
  31. Web site: 2018-07-28. Air Force defensive back Bradley Kim is first openly gay service academy player. 2021-06-30. Los Angeles Times. en-US.
  32. Web site: Arizona State OL Chip Sarafin announces he's gay. 2021-06-30. NFL.com. en-US.
  33. Web site: Kennedy McDowell is an out gay player on the Colorado State Rams football team. 2023-10-28. Outsports. en-US.
  34. Web site: 2014-03-02. Report: Division III kicker Conner Mertens tells coaches 'I'm bisexual' FOX Sports on MSN. 2021-06-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20140302181048/http://msn.foxsports.com/college-football/story/report-division-iii-kicker-conner-mertens-tells-coaches-i-m-bisexual-012814. 2014-03-02.