NFL players knew teammate was gay, didn't care

NFL players knew teammate was gay, didn't care

by Mike Freeman | National NFL Insider

April 19, 2013 9:31 PM ET

It turns out that for the past few years, with no one watching, an NFL team -- with its machismo and tough guys -- had reached a certain understanding with one of its players. The player was gay, many on the team knew it, and no one cared.

The player was not openly gay but several of the player's friends on the team knew it. A good dozen players on the team were aware the player dated men, several players on the team told CBSSports.com.

"It was the worst kept secret on the team," said one player. "Many of us knew and we didn't care at all."

CBSSports.com is declining to name the player since the player has not openly declared himself gay.

One of the main reasons players have not come out as openly gay in NFL locker rooms has been due to fear of repercussions from teammates, coaches and fans.

But if players on this team knew their teammate was gay, and accepted him, this would represent a possibly dramatic shift in the entire idea that an openly gay man could exist in the NFL.

"We saw him as a player," said the teammate, "not as a gay player."

According to players, members of the coaching staff knew the player was gay and the wives of the players as well.

The player played on a team previous to the one last year and I was told many of that team's players also knew, and that team's players also didn't care.

It seems we are rapidly reaching the point where an openly gay player may not be such a big deal. At least, that's the hope.

Source

I hope things work out for him and wish him all the luck in the world. (ht-Kathy Staley)