The NFL season is in its opening weekend and once again there are no openly gay players, the same its been since the league started 98 years ago.
While that statistic is very discouraging, it doesn’t mean there aren’t LGBT allies in the league. Over the years, Outsports and other media have asked players their views on LGBT issues in general and whether they would welcome an openly gay teammate.
There have been dozens of players who said they would accept a gay teammate, with a lot of them being asked the question when Michael Sam came out as an openly gay draft pick in 2014.
It hasn’t been asked as frequently since because it’s not been a major topic in the league, but I was able to identity 46 current players who have spoken publicly on the subject. This is not an exhaustive list and it’s possible some players are missing.
Some of these supportive players are on practice squads while others are major stars such as Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Andrew Luck and Rob Gronkowski.
When we have run these lists in the past some have complained that they are meaningless. But I have always found a value in them — they disprove the idea that football players are inherently hostile to LGBT people. And any out gay player is going to need straight allies in the locker room since the latter will far outnumber the former.
Gay-supportive NFL players
Davante Adams (Green Bay Packers wide receiver)
Walt Aikens (Miami Dolphins defensive back)
David Andrews (New England Patriots offensive line)
Doug Baldwin (Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Connor Barwin (New York Giants linebacker)
Giovani Bernard (Cincinnati Bengals running back)
A.J. Bouye (Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback)
Derek Carr (Oakland Raiders quarterback)
Jurrell Casey (Tennesee Titans defensive lineman)
Thomas Davis (Carolina Panthers linebacker);
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Green Bay Packers defensive back)
James Ferentz (New England Patriots offensive line)
Cameron Fleming (New England Patriots offensive line)
Nick Foles (Philadelphia Eagles quarterback)
Marquise Goodwin (San Francisco 49ers wide receiver)
Frank Gore (Miami Dolphins running back)
Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots tight end)
Johnny Hekker (Los Angeles Rams punter)
Casey Hayward (Los Angeles Chargers defensive back);
T.Y. Hilton (Indianapolis Colts wide receiver)
DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans wide receiver)
Jordan Howard (Chicago Bears running back)
Dion Jordan (Seattle Seahawks defensive end)
Kyle Juszczyk (San Francisco 49ers fullback)
Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs tight end)
Andrew Luck (Indianpolis Colts quarterback)
Alex Mack (Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman)
Doug Martin (Oakland Raiders running back)
Brandon McManus (Denver Broncos kicker)
Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers quarterback)
Russell Okung (Los Angeles Chargers offensive lineman)
Greg Olsen (Carolina Panthers tight end)
Matt Prater (Detroit Lions kicker)
Robert Quinn (Miami Dolphins defensive end)
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packer quarterback)
Harrison Smith (Minnesota Vikings defensive back)
Joe Staley (San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman)
Kenny Stills (Miami Dolphins wide receiver)
Terrell Suggs (Baltimore Ravens linebacker)
Adam Thielen (Minnesota Vikings safety)
Joe Thuney (New England Patriots offensive line)
Delanie Walker (Tennessee Titans tight end)
Stephen Weatherly (Minnesota Vikings defensive end)
Leonard Williams (New York Jets defensive end)
Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks quarterback)
Robert Woods (Los Angeles Rams wide receiver)
Read more on these players’ LGBT views:
- These eight players would support a gay teammate (from 2018)
- These New England Patriots linemen would support a gay teammate (from 2018
- 14 NFL Pro Bowlers say they would welcome a gay teammate (from 2017)
- NFL players react to Michael Sam coming out (from 2014)
- 62 active NFL players who have made statements in support of gays (from 2013)
- Carson Palmer, 12 Indianapolis Colts would embrace openly gay teammate (from 2013)
