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Byron Perkins is having a big week. The defensive back plays Division I football at Hampton University in Virginia, and as of Wednesday, he’s the first player at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to come out as gay.
In an Instagram story, the 6’3″ junior wrote: “I have come to understand that life is precious and I could be gone at any moment, therefore, I will no longer be living a lie. No one should have to live a life crippled by what society thinks.”
Related: Meet the gay high school football player who painted his town with pride
“I’ve decided that I’m going to make a change, and stop running away from myself,” he continued. “I’m gay, let it be known that this is not a ‘decision’ or a ‘choice.’ Yes, this is who I am, this is who I’ve been, and this is who I’m going to be. Simply put, I am who I am.”
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In an interview with OutSports, Perkins explained he’d reached a particularly low moment a month ago, and came to the realization that living inauthentically was holding him back.
“I’ve been self-reflective and trying to prioritize what makes me happy and makes me feel alive,” he said. “I thought it could be just football and school, but there was a component missing. And recently I’ve been able to figure out that I haven’t been fully happy because everyone didn’t know who I was. Authenticity is everything to me.”
He also shared that while his coaches support him and the response from his teammates has been “very good,” it’s not been 100% positive.
Related: A reminder that politician Brian Sims used to be quite a football jock
Perkins hopes his coming out can be helpful to other Black men at HBCUs who might be struggling in the closet.
“Especially at an HBCU, young Black gay men need an outlet,” he said. “They need a support system. There hasn’t been an out gay football athlete at an HBCU. I want to end the stigma of what people think. I want people to know they can be themselves.
“It’s about that kid who’s going to see this and think he can be himself too.”
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Perkins joins at least 15 other current or former out, college football players on Team LGBTQ:
Scott Frantz — Kansas State graduate (Division I) who played as offensive lineman and is an NFL hopeful:
Christian Zeitvogel — Kalamazoo College (Michigan Division III) offensive lineman:
#NeuesProfilbild pic.twitter.com/KO62jfD8Yp
— Christian Zeitvogel (@The_Zeisenvogel) September 26, 2021
Jacob Van Ittersum — Northwood University in Michigan (Division II) graduate who played as offensive lineman and came out as bi:
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Avery Saffold — Amherst College in Massachusetts (Division III) graduate who played as defensive back:
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Wyatt Pertuset — Capital University (Ohio, Division III) graduate who played as wide receiver and punter:
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My-King Johnson — New Mexico Military Institute junior college pass-rushing linebacker:
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Cy Hicks — College of Idaho (NAIA) offensive lineman:
Conor Mertens — Willamette University in Oregon (Division III) graduate who played as kicker:
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Brian Sims — Bloomsburg University (Division II) graduate who was captain and later became the first out gay man elected state legislator in Pennsylvania:
Mason Darrow — Princeton University (Division I) graduate who played as Offensive Lineman:
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Alan Gendreau — Middle Tennessee State (Division I) graduate who played as kicker:
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Bradley Kim — Air Force Academy (Division I) graduate who played as safety:
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Jaden Vazquez — Fordham University (Division I) linebacker:
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Chip Sarafin — Arizona State (Division I) graduate who played as linebacker:
And lastly, Ed Gallagher — Former University of Pittsburgh (Division I) player who sadly died in 2005. His impact won’t be forgotten.
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Kangol2
Congrats to Byron Perkins in particular for coming out now and at an HBCU, and I hope he finishes his college career (this season and next) on the highest notes. Many thanks to all of these other athletes too. There’s another former football player who played for Montana State or another team out west and he came out, but his name is eluding me and I don’t see his face here.
Thad
Hampton University has a lovely campus. I hope Byron Perkins finds acceptance and success as he completes his education there. I believe he’s already well prepared for the world.