NFL coach publicly reveals he is gay, a historic first in major American pro sports.

Sports Break: NFL⁢ Coach‍ Makes History by Coming Out ​as ⁢Gay

As sports quickly enters a rather dead time in the year (three⁢ of the four major⁤ North ‍American pro sports have nothing going on, ‍and⁤ the third is smack dab in the ⁤middle of​ a⁣ 162-game season), it ⁣doesn’t take much to​ capture ‍national sports headlines.

Despite that, history suggests that this particular story would’ve captured⁤ national attention regardless, given how just ⁢about every massive LGBT issue, especially in sports, ‌inevitably ends up as part of the zeitgeist.

A Groundbreaking Revelation in ‌Football

The latest version ⁣of this story ‍emanates from football, where Jacksonville Jaguars assistant strength and conditioning coach Kevin ​Maxen⁢ received blowout coverage from‌ pro-LGBT​ sports site OutSports over his coming out publicly.

“Maxen is⁣ coming out to live​ openly with his ⁤boyfriend and inspire others to ​be ⁢their true selves,” the outlet ⁣gushes in a⁢ headline before even ⁣getting to the ‌article.

As is often ‌the case in‍ these scenarios, Maxen was ‍lauded for his unrelenting⁢ bravery and undaunted heroism.

“Now ⁤in the ⁢NFL, he said he is hopeful ⁢about‌ the reaction Jaguars players will have to his truth,” ⁤OutSports’ Cyd Zeigler wrote. “He’s confident his work ethic, personality and commitment ​to the team’s success will win over ‌any doubters.”

Now,​ it is worth pointing out that nowhere⁣ in the article is there much mention of those ⁣“doubters,” so it’s not ⁤entirely clear what particular hardship those “doubters” are a part of.

If anything,‍ the ‍OutSports article painted the picture of a man who‍ may have been overly concerned about his sexuality.

When Maxen‌ and his partner, only identified as “Nick,” told old high school ⁣friends about their unrevealed homosexuality, the response they got was decidedly‌ muted.

“Why didn’t you just tell us earlier?” they asked the two.

Maxen also isn’t facing any pressure whatsoever from his ⁤superiors over his sexuality — in fact, it’s quite the opposite, ⁢according to ESPN.

“Kevin is a Jacksonville Jaguar through⁤ and through, and⁣ a key‌ member of ⁣our football team and community,” Jaguars owner ⁤ Shad Khan told ESPN in a statement. “I look forward ​to seeing Kevin next week at⁣ training‍ camp, and hope that he comes to work each day​ during camp and through the season⁣ feeling ⁣confident, free and ⁣at peace. ​I know our players and staff feel the same.”

Marcus Pollard, who ‌is Jacksonville’s director of player development, told OutSports: “In an environment that is diversifying, it ⁤is a privilege⁣ to work alongside Kevin who is hardworking, dedicated and thriving as a strength and conditioning coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.”

Maxen’s revelation also appears to be a first in ​those aforementioned ⁤top four North American sports, as⁢ Zeigler⁤ notes that the coach “is believed to‍ be the first-ever publicly out male ⁤coach in major American⁤ men’s pro sports.”

ESPN offered⁤ no such‌ doubts,‌ and flat-out stated that ⁣Maxen was‍ “the first male coach in major American men’s professional sports to publicly ⁣come ‌out ⁣as gay.”

Regardless, the ‍move is clearly being celebrated, ⁣as evidenced by the two glowing ⁤pieces from the ⁤largest sports⁤ site in the world and the largest sports site in⁤ the​ world with a specific LGBT tilt.

Most recently, the NFL again welcomed a member​ of its fraternity “coming out” when ⁣then-Las Vegas Raider Carl Nassib (he is currently ‌an unsigned free agent) came out as gay in 2021.

Before that, the next-most-prominent gay‍ athlete in the NFL was former St. Louis Rams‍ defensive end Michael Sam, whose NFL career⁤ never grew beyond “being the first openly gay player drafted.”

The Jaguars will next‍ take a football field August 12, when ​the team kicks⁣ its preseason off with‍ a​ game against‍ the Dallas ⁢Cowboys.

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