There are still no openly gay football players currently playing in the NFL, but there are seven openly gay or bi players competing at the college level, and one of them just got a shout-out from ESPN.
The athlete in the spotlight is Wyatt Pertuset, a wide receiver at Capital University, a Division III school near Columbus, Ohio.
Related: This college football star grabbed a mic, hopped on stage, and came out to his entire team
On the September 21 episode ESPN’s Outside the Lines, sportscaster Bob Ley commended Pertuset for “the first touchdown scored by an openly gay college football player in any division” during the show’s “Underreported Story of the Week” segment.
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“Look, God bless this kid,” Ley added. “He’s setting an outstanding example.”
Pertuset actually made the touchdown nearly three weeks prior, and Ley speculated the triumphant moment had been underreported because sports media is finally treating LGBT athletes as equals. “Maybe, all right, we acknowledge [it’s] not a big deal,” Ley mused. “We’ve moved beyond this. And there’s progress in that regard. So we salute him and say we have perspective.”
Related: Gay former football player finds his happy place on the cheerleading team
The 20-year-old, who came out as gay in high school, described the history-making touching in an interview with Outsports. “It was completely overwhelming,” he recalled. “It was on a scramble and I had to get open. Next thing you know, my quarterback, Thomas Wibbeler, connected with me in the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown. All of my teammates quickly came to celebrate with me in the end zone, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
And in a subsequent interview with the website, he expressed his appreciation of the ESPN segment. “It was a really cool sight to see,” he said. “It’s nice when you get noticed for doing something that you’ve worked so hard to do.”
Kangol
Break that barrier, Wyatt Pertuset. May many others follow you!
Lacuevaman
yes
fur_hunter
Kudos to ESPN for having the brass to announce this. So many would avoid it like the plague. Have to say…..’UGLY’ does not know his name or where he lives. Very Handsome Young Man. I wish him well.
unreligious
Well the one guy is mentioning it but his co-anchors sure look like they are uncomfortable with it.
batesmotel
Yeah, I noticed that too. They seemed supremely quiet. Not that it means anything, but you’d think one of them would’ve chimed in, “Yes this is great.” Or something. Then again it’s ESPN. They’re more respectful when someone is speaking than those shows like the View or the Talk.
AtlasRich
Way to go ESPN. Sports can be such a non-gay-friendly place and some of these non-friendly’s are influenced by the sportscasters and commentators so when they are accepting and actually put a positive spin on a gay athlete that is potentially upcoming to pro….it is awesome! What ever happened to the openly gay NFL prospect guy named Simms?
and of course Qwerty has to sexy it up.
Onecaddy13
Excellent!!!! But you don’t need any news/sports outlet to let everyone know who you are and what you can accomplish. I wish you many more touchdowns during your College and future NFL career.
BGinBigD
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Wide receiver or not, (you know I had to go there) the man is HOT. As a former high school football player, offensive tackle and center, I wish him the best.
ross leonard sayer
Dear Wyatt Pertuset, You are a brave person to admit to being Gay I know you will have a good life you to me is a Hunk. Only wish is hat we could meet I live in Whakatane bay of plenty New Zealand.
ashersea
Does he have naturally reddish/orange hair? I think so. In the modeling/headshot they seemed to have dyed his hair and beard.
ElPillo
Wouldn’t it be wonderful the moment it didn’t matter, when gayness is not point to discuss? That said, he’s fine!!!
djmcgamester
This is great. A huge step forward. Man, if they guy went pro it would change everything, or at least start to.
Wicked Dickie
“…the first touchdown scored by an openly gay college football player in any division” during the show’s “Underreported Story of the Week” segment….” Congrats.
ptseti
SMFH so here we are in 2018 STILL MAKING AN ISSUE ABOUT A PLAYER IN SPORTS WHO HAPPENS TO BE GAY…..SMMFH……..
Esscourt
Maybe they’ll make him quarterback. I loathe American football, but I wish this kid all the best.