Ryan O'Callaghan (2006-2011): Offensive lineman with the Patriots and Chiefs.
Kwame Harris (2003-2008): Offensive lineman with the 49ers and Raiders. Roy Simmons (1979-83): Offensive lineman with the Giants and Redskins.Įsera Tuaolo (1991-99: Defensive tackle with the Packers, Vikings, Jaguars, Falcons and Panthers. The NFL Network produced a documentary on Smith being gay. Jerry Smith (1965-77): Tight end with the Redskins. Here is the list of players who have come out: Played in a regular season gameĭave Kopay (1964-72): Running back with the 49ers, Lions, Redskins, Saints, and Packers. In the Outsports article on O’Callaghan coming out, longtime NFL executive Scott Pioli says he has counseled gay NFL players before. Legendary Packers and Redskins coach Vince Lombardi - who had an openly gay brother - knew that some of his players were gay. The 11 men who were at least in an NFL training camp are barely a blip statistically among the thousands of men who have played in the league’s history and shows the stigma that is still attached to coming out. Louis Rams and played in all four preseason games prior to being released. The most publicized out player was Michael Sam, whose story became national news when he came out in 2014 prior to the NFL Draft. He finished his career with 5,496 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns.
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He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was named one of the 80 greatest Redskins and is included in the team’s Ring of Fame.
Smith is the most accomplished player on the list. Both men died from complications of AIDS and neither ever publicly discussed their sexual orientation. Kopay played with two teammates who were gay: tight end Jerry Smith and running back Ray McDonald. Kopay, whose autobiography reached the New York Times bestsellers list, will turn 75 next week and lives in Los Angeles. In addition, four other players who came out as gay were in NFL training camps, some playing in preseason games.ĭave Kopay, a running back for nine years with the 49ers, Lions, Packers and Redskins, was the first player to come out when he did a newspaper interview in 1975 after retiring. The announcement today by former Patriots and Chiefs offensive lineman Ryan O'Callaghan that he is gay brings to seven the number of NFL known gay players in NFL history who have played in a regular season game.