How Many Gay NFL Players Are There?
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How many gay NFL players are there? This has been a question that has been asked for years, but it’s one that still doesn’t have a definitive answer.
The NFL’s History with LGBT Players
Since the NFL’s inception in 1920, there have been no openly gay players in the league. This is not for a lack of gay players, as there are certainly gay men playing in the NFL currently, but rather because of the NFL’s culture which has been historically unwelcoming to LGBT players. This began to change in 2013, however, when the NFL implemented a new policy prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The NFL’s first openly gay player
The NFL’s first openly gay player was Michael Sam, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 2014 NFL Draft. He came out publicly in February 2014, before the draft.
Since then, a handful of other players have come out as gay or bisexual, including former Rams offensive lineman Ryan O’Callaghan, who came out in 2017. There are no openly transgender players in the NFL at this time.
The NFL has been criticized in the past for its treatment of LGBT players and employees. In 2015, then-NFL player Chris Kluwe wrote an essay alleging that he was released from the league due to his support for same-sex marriage.
Kluwe’s essay sparked a nationwide conversation about LGBT inclusion in professional sports, and led to the creation of the LGBTQ Sports Coalition – a group of athletes, coaches, executives and other professionals working to promote inclusion of LGBTQ people in all levels of sports.
In recent years, the NFL has taken steps to be more inclusive of LGBT people. In 2016, the league appointed its first full-time employee to focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives, including those involving LGBTQ people.
And in 2017, the NFL launched its “All In For Equality” campaign – a multi-year initiative aimed at ensuring that everyone who loves football – regardless of their background or orientation – feels welcome and included in the game.
The NFL’s first openly gay coach
In 2014, the NFL got its first openly gay coach: Michael Sam. Sam came out before the NFL draft, and was eventually drafted by the St. Louis Rams. He was released by the Rams during the preseason, and picked up by the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. Sam’s time in the NFL was short-lived, but he made history as the first openly gay player in the league.
Since Sam came out, a handful of other players have come out as well. In 2015, running back Brendon Ayanbadejo retired from the NFL after 11 seasons. Ayanbadejo had been an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights during his career, and his retirement gave him more time to work on these issues.
Recently, two active NFL players have come out as gay: Ryan O’Callaghan and Justin Meredith. O’Callaghan came out in 2017, while Meredith came out in 2018. Both players are currently free agents, but they hope to continue their careers in the NFL.
As of right now, there are no active LGBT players in the NFL. But with more and more players coming out every year, it’s only a matter of time until that changes.
The NFL’s Current stance on LGBT Players
As of now, there are no openly gay NFL players. This is not because there are no gay NFL players, but because the NFL has not been friendly towards LGBT players in the past. In fact, the NFL has been sued multiple times for discrimination against LGBT players. However, this may be changing.
The NFL’s anti-discrimination policy
The NFL has an anti-discrimination policy that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. This policy applies to all aspects of the game, including players, coaches, and front office personnel.
The NFL’s anti-discrimination policy was put into place in 2014, after several players came out as gay. The most notable of these players was Michael Sam, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Since the implementation of the policy, there have been no openly gay players in the NFL. However, it is widely believed that there are numerous closeted gay players in the league.
While the NFL has taken a stance against discrimination, many feel that they could do more to support their LGBT players. For example, the league has yet to publicly address the issue of transgender players. There are no out transgender players in the NFL, but it is possible that there are closeted transgender players in the league.
The NFL has taken some steps to support its LGBT fans, such as partnering with GLAAD to promote inclusion and tolerance. However, many feel that more can be done to make the NFL a truly inclusive environment for all.
The NFL’s support of the LGBT community
In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, the NFL has reaffirmed its support of the LGBT community. In a statement released on Friday, the league said it “welcomes and encourages” all players, regardless of sexual orientation.
This stance is a marked change from just a few years ago, when the NFL was widely seen as being hostile to LGBT players and employees. In 2014, for example, then-St. Louis Rams player Michael Sam came out as gay, but was not drafted by any team. In 2015, former NFL player Ryan O’Callaghan came out as gay after he retired from the sport.
The NFL’s shift on LGBT issues comes as other major professional sports leagues have also been moving in a more inclusive direction. The NBA, for instance, has been outspoken in its support of LGBT players like Jason Collins and Billy McKinney. And last year, Major League Baseball hired its first openly gay umpire, Dale Scott.
The NFL’s statement Friday is another sign that the league is slowly but surely becoming more supportive of LGBT rights.
How Many Gay NFL Players Are There?
Though the NFL has never had an openly gay player, there are probably a few gay players in the league. In 2014, Michael Sam came out as gay before the NFL Draft, but was not drafted until the seventh round. He became the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL.
The number of openly gay NFL players
The number of openly gay NFL players has been steadily increasing in recent years. As of 2019, there are believed to be at least 7 gay NFL players. This is a significant increase from previous years, when there were no openly gay players in the league.
The seven openly gay NFL players are Ryan O’Callaghan, Scott Frantz, Derrick Gordon, Jamie Kuntz, Sam Kwiatkowski, Michael Sam, and Alan Gendreau. Of these seven players, six are currently active and one is a free agent.
It is estimated that there are between 20 and 30 closeted gay NFL players. These players have not come out publicly, but it is believed that they are either in the closet or have not yet come to terms with their sexuality. It is hoped that the increasing number of openly gay players will encourage more closeted players to come out.
The number of closeted gay NFL players
The number of closeted gay NFL players is unknown, and it’s likely that many will never come out publicly. There are a number of reasons why gay athletes may choose to stay in the closet, including the fear of discrimination, harassment, and even violence. In recent years, however, a number of high-profile athletes have come out as gay, including NBA player Jason Collins and NFL player Michael Sam.
It’s estimated that there are approximately 2-3 percent of people who identify as LGBT in the general population. If this estimate is accurate, then it stands to reason that there are at least a few hundred gay NFL players who are not publicly out. Given the macho culture of professional football, it’s likely that many gay players will choose to keep their sexuality private.
The Future of Gay NFL Players
The NFL is a tough place for anyone, let alone a gay player. In a league full of alpha males, it can be hard to feel accepted and safe. There have been a few gay NFL players over the years, but they have all been closeted. The future looks bright for gay NFL players, with more and more players feeling comfortable coming out.
The NFL’s continued support of the LGBT community
The NFL has been a strong supporter of the LGBT community, and this has been evident in recent years with the league’s efforts to promote inclusivity. In 2014, the NFL launched its “OutforNFL” campaign, which was aimed at supporting LGBT players and fans. This campaign included a series of public service announcements featuring NFL players and executives affirming their commitment to inclusion.
In 2016, the NFL also hosted its first-ever Pride Month celebration, which featured a number of events and initiatives designed to support the LGBT community. This event was held in partnership with Outsports, an online publication that covers LGBT issues in sports.
These efforts have continued in recent years, and the NFL has shown no signs of backing down from its support of the LGBT community. In 2018, the league launched its “All In For Equality” campaign, which is aimed at promoting equality for all fans and players, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This campaign includes a number of initiatives, such as training for league employees on LGBT sensitivity and partnering with organizations that support the LGBT community.
With these efforts, it’s clear that the NFL is committed to promoting inclusion for all fans and players. This is an important step forward not only for the LGBT community, but for all communities that have been traditionally marginalized in sports.
The possibility of more openly gay NFL players
In recent years, there has been a growing movement in support of LGBTQ rights in the United States. This has led to more openly gay people in a variety of professions, including the NFL. As of now, there are no openly gay players in the NFL. However, this could change in the future as attitudes continue to shift.
There are a few factors that could contribute to more openly gay players in the NFL. Firstly, there is increasing social acceptance of LGBTQ people. This means that more players may feel comfortable coming out publicly. Additionally, the league has been gradually changing its policies to be more inclusive of LGBTQ people. For example, the league now prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Ultimately, it is difficult to predict how many openly gay players will be in the NFL in the future. However, it is clear that there is potential for more players to come out publicly as attitudes towards LGBTQ people continue to evolve.