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Nashville Predators hockey player Luke Prokop celebrated his new contract with the National Hockey League this week by coming out of the closet as a gay man. No NHL player, active or retired, has ever done so before.
Prokop, 19, originally hails from Alberta, Canada. The Predators drafted him during the 2020 draft, which yielded him a three-year entry-level contract for the team. Earlier today (July 19), he took to Instagram to share his truth with the world.
“It has been quite the journey to get to this point in my life, but I cannot be happier with my decision to come out,” he wrote. “From a young age I have dreamed of being an NHL player, and I believe that living my authentic life will allow me to bring my whole self to the rink improve my chances for filling my dreams.”
“I hope that in sharing who I am I can help other people see that gay people are welcome in the hockey community, as we work to make sure that hockey is truly for everyone,” Prokop continued. “I may be new to the community, but I am eager to learn about the strong and resilient people who came before me and paved the way so I could be more comfortable today.”
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In an interview with ESPN, Prokop elaborated on the decision to come out now.
“I was lying in bed one night, had just deleted a dating app for the fourth or fifth time, and I was extremely frustrated because I couldn’t be my true authentic self,” Prokop told the network. “In that moment I said, ‘Enough is enough. I’m accepting who I am. I want to live the way I want to, and I want to accept myself as a gay man.'”
Prokop began coming out to friends and family in April. That included a heart-to-heart conversation with Predators assistant general manager Brian Poile.
“He in that moment showed me a lot of support and told me the Predators are behind me 1,000% and want what’s best for me and that they’re proud of me during this,” Prokop recalled to ESPN. “I remember getting off that phone call and tears just started coming from my eyes, I was so excited. And in that moment, I thought, this is what it’s going to feel like for the rest of my life. For them to show that support that they did in that moment, it felt like I can rule the world.”
Prokop’s decision to come out has earned the support of his teammates, as well as that of Predators president and CEO Sean Henry.
“The Nashville Predators organization is proud of Luke for the courage he is displaying in coming out today and we will support him unequivocally in the days, weeks, and years to come as he continues to develop as a prospect,” Henry said in a statement. “A long-stated goal in our organization is equality for all, including the LGBTQ community, and it is important that Luke feels comfortable and part of an inclusive environment as he moves forward in his career.”
Prokop has yet to take to the ice with the Predators as his team; the new NHL season is slated to begin this October barring complications from the COVID-19 pandemic.
When he does, we’ll be watching.
Donston
There’s a lot to be said about Carl Nassib and him likely being a Republican and Trumpster. But he did probably kickstart something. I don’t think we’re gonna see a sea of dudes in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, professional tennis be unabashedly “out” these next couple of years. But they’ll probably be a few more. I do selfishly wonder how long it’s gonna take for an actually widely known/popular guy in one of these leagues to be “out”. While I almost must admit, I kinda want to see more guys just show up at a red carpet event holding their bf’s hand or put a pic of them making out on Insta or just casually mention in an interview/post that they’re “gay”/into dudes/have a bf. The long, sentimental statements and making it entirely about identity adds an extra bit of politics, dramatics and “uncool-ness” that I’m sure turns off certain closeted guys. That’s no disrespect though. You can “come out” however you like.
Prinny
Wait what? That guy is a Maga?
MetaMichael
‘likely being’. give me a break dude! what are you ‘likely being’ stick to the facts, he came out. he’s 19. what have you done lately?
Heywood Jablowme
@Prinny: We know for sure that Carl Nassib is a registered Republican since that’s a public record.
Not a concern with Luke Prokop who’s a Canadian!
Donston
I’m talking about Carl being a Republican and Trumpster.
NexPat
in the UK there are more out gay conservative MPs than there are in the labor party. we need to encourage some diversity in that party, otherwise it does jus become the vehicle for white angst (and white supremacy) in this country. also, the more family of conservatives that come out, the more they accept the entire gay community and push for equal rights
throwslikeagirl
Nashville. Hockey. This guy has some cojones.
Mack
Yeah Tennessee isn’t very supporting of the LGBTQ community. Actually they would rather drive them out of the state. I left that state for a reason and absolutely have no desire to go back. A bunch of bigots and racists.
Gay Thomas
Nashville is a blue dot in a red state. It’s very welcoming and safe for gay people. I live here.
whateverokok
You been to TN? You live in TN? Um, I thought so. Hate to break the news to you but the South is more welcoming than the East or West at times. TN is great state to live in. Don’t shame something you don’t know.
Jake123
Aw he seems so sweet!!
TomMc
Agreed 🙂
Jim
What is a bit worrisome are the professional athletes who got married as a cover.
LumpyPillows
Well, good for him.
Jere
I will be curious to see how the Predators and the NHL respond to any homophobic abuse aimed at Prokop from fans in the arena, from Prokop’s teammates, or from players on other teams.
Mack
There will be more problems from the Nashville fans than the opposing teams.
whateverokok
No there will not be more problems from the Nashville fans. You haven’t got one clue about Nashville, so stick a pipe in it. Nashville will openly welcome him. People don’t about this stuff like you all think.
Sqwoah
This guy is just one more piece of evidence that Canadians are a class act!
Inspector 57
Right, eh?!
(Well, except for Justin Bieber, maybe.)
xnetminder
So true!
rickyboi7
Thanks for doing this, each time an athlete comes out it paves the way for others and helps.
SFMike
Being from an actual first world country I think this guy doesn’t realize the world of hurt he will have to face in Christian white nationalist sink hole Tennessee. Good luck though and he’s doing us all a favor that hopefully won’t bite him in the rear.
Gay Thomas
Nashville is not like the rest of the state. Not even close. I am a long-time resident
whateverokok
Sinkhole. Nashville is no sinkhole. San Francisco? Now there’s a sinkhole. Nashville has more class than San Francisco could ever dream of having. Stuff it bub.
TheAbsoluteTRUTH
Good idea having done that AFTER signing your contract….bravo for that
wikidBSTN
Welcome to the family – such that it is. 🙂
greekboy
Please don’t criticize this young man…he has done an incredibly courageous thing. I wish him best of luck in this stage of his life
xnetminder
I am thrilled for this young man. He’ll get to fulfill his dream of playing at the highest level of hockey and be true to himself. From his statement, he sounds like he’ll be strong enough to deal with the homophobes who are sure to verbally attack him in Nashville and other hockey cities. Good luck and much success to him!
whateverokok
Nashville wouldn’t dare dream of doing that. We’ve got better sense and class to do something that rude. Stop painting with such huge brush strokes.
phillycap
While Tennessee is a knuckle dragging state in many areas of it, there are plenty of Progressives in the state. And Nashville isn’t an aggressively homophobic city. It’s not particularly fair to tar the whole state, even though it’s certainly a majority bigoted and homophobic state. There are loving and supportive allies in Tennessee and hopefully they will offset the neanderthals.
Lobeskc
Well said!
Kangol2
Bravo to him and congrats on being out and being a pioneer. He took a brave, huge step. I hope his new team is as supportive as they claim they will be and that Nashville fans accept him. I also hope the NHL is ready to step in if any players or fans become abusive toward him.
Thad
I’m a big hockey fan. Love the Predators. The atmosphere in Bridgestone Arena for home games is thrilling. The fans can be nasty…but they stand behind their team. And Broadway’s famous honky-tonks are literally across the street.
But here’s what people aren’t mentioning: Luke Prokop is young and has not yet played in the NHL. I’d love him to succeed right out of the box, but it’s likely he’ll play for their development team in the AHL. Which would be…the Milwaukee Admirals.
That might be a great fit!
But the most gay-affirming AHL team is the Syracuse Crunch. Did you see their Pride-themed uniforms? Total wow. And, surprise, surprise. .Syracuse is the affiliate of the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
Toofie
Great for him!
preppyesque
While I agree that sports fans generally aren’t the most evolved species, I disagree with the description of Nashville. I have lived here a long time (way before it became the ‘it’ city), and have never had any problems, and I say this as a feminine gay guy that even dead people can tell is gay. I’ve only had great, supportive, fun experiences here. Maybe it’s a attitude or being outspoken or just not really caring, but Nashville has treated me well. I can understand however that not everyone has had the same experience here. Sometimes I might wish I lived elsewhere (to avoid the religious freaks), but in the end, it’s a great city. I encourage more gays to move here!
Zorba123
Thank you! It’s always good to read another view. Maybe not everyone feels the same way and I am certainly not one to condone Tennessee’s horrible anti-LGBTG laws passed by the state but I do appreciate an opinion from someone who’s experienced a part of it from a different perspective!
Gay Thomas
I second this. Lived in Nashville for a long time. Never had any issues being gay here. It’s shocking to see the ignorance on here about Nashville. It’s a very progressive, massively growing city. It’s the Austin of Tennessee.
My2CentsWorth
Plus it has a McKay Books. One of the best used bookstores in the south.
Hank31
Awesome! Great to see athletes and regular guys coming out!
storm45701
Good for him. I would take care of his hockey stick anytime….
Cam
Congratulations to him!