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NFL players could be about to come out

Sun 7 Apr 2013 In: International News View at NDHA

Linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo posing for the NOH8 campaign An NFL player and equal rights advocate says several American football players could be on the verge of historically coming out, all on the same day. Super Bowl Champion Brendon Ayanbadejo’s told the Baltimore Sun it would help them share the burden if they did it at the same time. “I think it will happen sooner than you think,” he said. “We’re in talks with a handful of players who are considering it. There are up to four players being talked to right now and they’re trying to be organized so they can come out on the same day together. It would make a major splash and take the pressure off one guy. It would be a monumental day if a handful or a few guys come out.” The 36-year-old former Baltimore Raven added he thought there could be a “backlash”, but the NFL could be prepared to deal with it. “Of course, there would be backlash. If they could share the backlash, it would be more positive. It’s cool. It’s exciting. We’re in talks with a few guys who are considering it. The NFL and organizations are already being proactive and open if a player does it and if something negative happens. We’ll see what happens.” Ayanbadejo, who is currently a free agent, was honoured alongside fellow NFL player Chris Kluwe recently with an award from Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), for their work advocating for the LGBT community. Ayanbadejo has also appeared outside the Supreme Court to rally in favour of equal marriage.    

Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff

First published: Sunday, 7th April 2013 - 11:53am

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