Even the most optimistic of gay advocates groups could never have imagined in their wildest dreams the lightning speed at which America has opened its arms to the gay and lesbian community over the course of the past five years. From politics to popular culture, more and more Americans are continuing to become enlightened in their embrace of their gay friends and loved ones, and now the grandaddy of American sports is reportedly on the verge of an enormous watershed moment. Mike Freeman of CBS Sports wrote earlier today that he believes a current NFL player is considering coming out of the closet: “While I’ve long believed I would not see an openly gay NFL player for decades, that might be wrong. Based on interviews over the past several weeks with current and former players, I’m told that a current gay NFL player is strongly considering coming out publicly within the next few months — and after doing so, the player would attempt to continue his career. This player’s true concern, I’m told, is not the reaction inside an NFL locker room but outside of it. The player fears he will suffer serious harm from homophobic fans, and that is the only thing preventing him from coming out. My sources will not say who this alleged player is.” Should ever this terrific man decide to come out of the shadows and change sports history, I will instantly be naming him my newest FEELguide Hero.
