Handsome former New England Patriots star Ryan O’Callaghan, who previously rocked the sports world by coming out as gay in 2017, looks to shake up the sport yet again. In his new autobiography, he claims he knows of more gay players in the league.
O’Callaghan’s new book My Life On The Line: How the NFL Damn Near Killed Me and Ended Up Saving My Life debuted in bookstores September 3, but already passages from it have caused a sensation. In addition to detailing O’Callaghan’s time in the NFL, he also says he knows of other LGBTQ players in the league.
Related: Ryan O’Callaghan says being closeted in the NFL “damn near killed me”
“I can promise you there’s plenty of closeted NFL players,” O’Callaghan told Reuters. “I think it’s safe to say there’s at least one on every team who is either gay or bisexual. A lot of guys still see it as potentially having a negative impact on their career. … It’s going to take a high profile player who’s playing currently, coming out, to really make a difference.”
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O’Callaghan also discloses his struggles with painkiller addiction and depression, and how the team psychiatrist for the Kansas City Chiefs helped him come to terms with his sexuality. When he did come out, he had a warm reception from other players, including Kevin Faulk, Andre Tippett, Dan Koppen and Deion Branch. He also spent some one on one time with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who told him “What you did took a lot of courage. I’m so proud of you.”
My Life On The Line: How the NFL Damn Near Killed Me and Ended Up Saving My Life hits bookshelves next week.
CenterRight
I just don’t think it is a good business idea to come out if you are currently an NFL player. It is just not the right image you want to show the world and the fans. You can wait until you successfully retire.
Juanjo
Don’t you have a Planned Parenthood clinic to bomb or something?
Kangol2
Your homophobia can be smelled across the Atlantic and Pacific. Why do you hate yourself so much? Why are you on this site?
startenout
It’s only a “bad business idea” because of homophobia whether it’s from straight people or self-loathing gay men. If people understood how to be supportive and that playing with a clear mind instead of one preoccupied with living a lie makes you a better player and that who you have sex with and love has nothing to do with your job performance or anyone else’s life, well, it would be a better world all around.
porque_loco
Would you not “think it is a good business idea” to have Jackie Robinson play for the Brooklyn Dodgers? I’m guessing a lot of Social Injustice Warriors of that time would have (or did) use that argument.
JaidenSanders1381
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Mack
People have to be who they are. They shouldn’t have to hid their sexuality because some macho dimwit can’t accept gays. We come in all shapes and sizes. CenterRight is just another example of trying to shove everyone back into the closet.
jcoberkrom
Just when will Drew Brees come out is the question.
Kangol2
There are at least 1, probably as many as 3-5 gay or bi men on each team, and there are several high profile players who are really skirting the line in terms of being out. The problem is they probably won’t get real support from their teams, even if they get it from family, friends and teammates. The NFL talks a good game, but as the pro-gay marriage protests, Michael Sam’s coming out experience and the Kaepernick protests all showed, the ownership is really retrograde, fearful and small-minded.
JaredMacBride
You know this how? Have you screwed that many NFL players?
Kangol2
Extrapolation, @MacNotSoBright.
Donston
Well, every NFL team has so many damn players. Of course, there’s more than a handful of homosexual, homo-leaning, homo-romantic, gay players. As far as players playing in the NFL while revealing that they have unabashed passions, romantic feelings, relationship ambitions towards guys- yeah, I don’t see that happening for quite a while. The owners are definitely a problem, but it’s certainly not anywhere near the only reason.
Melania Trump by Lauren LoGiudice
“And in every administration. Just saying.” — XO ?Melania
IlhanOmarDC
“I just don’t think it is a good business idea to come out if you are currently an NFL player.” What are you doing thinking? It is in the “How To Be A Liberal handbook’ Do not think, agree with everything you are told. No one should be allowed to do what is best for them, the government will decide everything. If you start thinking you might as well be a republican.
pscheck2
If you are a ‘devotee’ of Blind Items and other gossip columns, you would say: “Right on!” There are a couple of Icons in the NFL who, if they came out, would rock the sport! In one case he is ‘protected by the sports writers and the franchise as too important to be exposed! There is also another factor in ‘coming out.’ They are fearful of losing their status as a studly hunk, hero and favorite with their fan base! They relish their popularity and don’t want it to be compromised by ‘coming out!’
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE TROLL!!
it thrives on responses to it’s inane posts. If everyone ignores it, like a child crying for attention it will shut up and slither back under it’s rock
Brian
^ agreed!
Rex Huskey
fool, you are the reason they thrive on this site…. you set yourself on fire at a single the stick of a hair pin…
Rex Huskey
fool, you are the reason they thrive on this site…. you set yourself on fire at a single stick of a hair pin…
dhmonarch89
‘….O’Callaghan struggled with depression, suicidal thoughts, and an addiction to painkillers…’ THIS is sort of why some of these players need to come out! Think of all the kids and teens out there playing with no hope- str8 kids have 50,000 str8 sports role models- gay boys need 1 or 2 in some of the Big sports, our lesbian sisters can’t so all the work!
IlhanOmarDC
Yes, I agree do not feed the troll. Instead purchase a copy of the Quran it will soon be the book everyone must follow in America .
Rex Huskey
yeah right…. good one!!!
MrMichaelJ
In today’s world if you have 3 guys together there’s one guy who wants to suck a guy off and one of the other guys can, and has been, talked into it.
duke4172
I so agree!
Rex Huskey
i’m sorry…what???
duke4172
I am all for players with major teams NFL, MLB and NHL coming out because I remember well in the late 80’s when I finally was brave enough to come out there were really no gay players in any sport to emulate though I did have a mad crush on Greg Luganis and Billy Bean and was glad they came out and wish they had while still in their sport! because it would make it easier for our young people to forge ahead come out and live their lives in peace and happiness!
Rex Huskey
at one time in the late 70’s, i had had sex with players on 5 teams…. nothing new here