LOS ANGELES -- David Kopay gazes from his ninth-story apartment in West Hollywood, observing the striking panorama: the undulating Hollywood Hills, extending to the iconic, Christmas-tree-adorned peak of Tower Records, then across to the Los Angeles cityscape and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
He contemplates the passage of time.
Twenty-three NFL seasons have elapsed since Kopay, a running back who played for five different franchises over nine seasons, sent shockwaves through the sporting universe by publicly identifying as homosexual. He was the inaugural prominent athlete in a major team sport to make such a declaration, yet the number of individuals who have followed suit remains exceedingly small. Roy Simmons, a guard who participated in 58 games for the Giants and Redskins between 1979 and 1983, revealed his orientation on The Phil Donahue Show in 1992; this marked the sole subsequent instance.
"I'm considered the sole openly gay individual," Kopay conveys with a sense of resignation. "That's me."
Given the prevailing understanding that approximately five to ten percent of the general populace identifies as homosexual, it is estimated that a substantial number of NFL players, perhaps between seventy-five and one hundred fifty out of the league's fifteen hundred participants, are not open about their sexual orientation.
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| Troy Aikman has issued denials regarding persistent rumors suggesting his homosexuality. |
"Consider this scenario," remarks Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Terance Mathis. "It's plausible that your team could have three or four gay players, and you wouldn't even be aware of it."
Kopay elaborates, "Naturally, that's the belief I prefer, yet I don't observe anyone else coming forward. When my book achieved bestseller status (in 1977), I received numerous calls from some fellow ballplayers. Furthermore, one of my teammates approached me to discuss his bisexuality. However, I haven't received similar communications recently."
The underlying cause is attributed to the profoundly homophobic climate prevalent throughout America, a sentiment that is even more pronounced within the realm of professional team sports. Leigh Steinberg, an agent representing NFL players, has dedicated considerable thought to this particular subject.
"Homosexuality likely represents the final and most formidable taboo," Steinberg states from his office in Newport Beach, California. "This is evident whether in the context of men congregating in groups and experiencing discomfort with the level of intimacy in locker rooms, or in situations where collective male groups tend to suppress the most sensitive and accommodating aspects of a discussion."
"Observe this," he adds. "In numerous respects, I believe it would be considerably less arduous to be convicted of robbery, serve a prison sentence, and then commence playing in major league baseball or the NFL, compared to being openly gay."
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| Findings from an ESPN Chilton Poll conducted from December 1st to December 3rd, surveying 503 randomly selected adult fans, revealed their potential reactions to an openly gay athlete acting as a product spokesperson: A majority exceeding 52 percent indicated that this factor would not influence their purchasing decisions, whereas 28 percent expressed a reduced inclination to buy the product. Conversely, nearly 16 percent indicated an increased likelihood of purchasing it. The most significant negative response originates from individuals under the age of twenty-five and those exceeding fifty years of age. In both these demographic segments, approximately one in every three fans stated they would be less inclined to purchase the product. However, in contrast to the older demographic, a comparable proportion of younger individuals indicated they would be more likely to buy. Respondents falling within the 25-34 age bracket demonstrated the highest degree of open-mindedness, with a mere 21 percent indicating they would be less inclined to purchase the product. Furthermore, women generally displayed a more receptive attitude towards gay spokespeople compared to men.
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This sentiment from Steinberg is considered his somewhat renowned viewpoint on the matter of gay individuals in professional team sports, and it is highly probable that it holds a degree of truth. The NFL, which is characterized by its aggressive physicality among major professional sports, has historically not been an environment that fosters significant tolerance. As Steinberg elucidates, elite athletic pursuits, much like military service, often attract and cultivate the most conservative elements of American society. Requirements for discipline, structured routines, and inherent toughness are paramount. Furthermore, the undeniable and potent influence of evangelical Christian beliefs cannot be overlooked.
"I will not endorse it; my stance is contrary," declares Darrell Green, a devout believer and cornerback for the Washington Redskins. "We do not possess any further capacity within our locker room for such matters."
Johnny Roland, the running backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals, appears to share this sentiment.
"You endeavor to market your team as a rugged, tenacious, and determined football squad," Roland explains. "And I would surmise that if an individual possessed that particular orientation, I would harbor reservations about the demonstrable level of his toughness."
Players suggest that any inherent toughness a gay player might possess would indeed be subjected to rigorous testing.
"Should an individual choose to disclose his sexual orientation," states Giants quarterback Danny Kanell, "he would likely face considerable adversity. Every Sunday, he would be compelled to perform with an intensity ten times greater than any of his peers, as everyone would be primed to direct their frustrations towards him."
Tre Johnson, an offensive guard for the Redskins, comments, "It would undoubtedly create a state of apprehension among everyone. That individual would likely face universal ostracism. All prevailing anxieties and insecurities would come to the forefront. Given the prevailing environment of heightened masculinity and ego within which we operate, that person would undoubtedly face severe repercussions."
Cris Carter, a wide receiver who has played in the NFL for twelve seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, expresses a similar conviction.
"I believe it would present a considerable challenge for many of the athletes with whom I compete to reconcile the notion that, 'Indeed, I am showering, performing on the field, sustaining injuries, and engaging in physical contests with a person who is homosexual,' " Carter states. "I am absolutely confident that individuals would intentionally target him. I hold a very firm belief that such actions would transpire."
According to Steinberg, this backlash would extend beyond the playing field into the highly sensitive and financially lucrative domains of marketing and endorsement deals.
"I believe it would have a profoundly detrimental impact on the marketability of any athlete who chose to publicly announce his homosexuality," Steinberg asserts. "The entire rationale behind endorsements is for a corporation to connect with the broadest possible consumer base. The notion that a company would voluntarily enter such a contentious situation, particularly with fervent fundamentalist Christians who are actively campaigning on this issue, simply does not align with business objectives."
Steinberg has been compelled to confront this possibility, given the persistent speculation surrounding two of his quarterback clients, Steve Young of San Francisco and Troy Aikman of Dallas, concerning their sexual orientation.
"There exists a certain societal expectation placed upon any unmarried man who reaches his late twenties or thirties without entering into matrimony," Steinberg observes. "I have never encountered an athlete who approached me and disclosed his homosexuality. Furthermore, in the instances of athletes who have been the subject of such speculation, they are not only not gay, but demonstrably heterosexual. The challenging aspect arises when the terms 'gay' or 'homosexual' become publicly associated with an athlete; this can unfortunately tarnish their reputation for a considerable duration."
Steinberg also acknowledged that when a humorous commercial concept featuring Young and wide receiver Jerry Rice, which emphasized their close bond, was recently proposed, there was considerable apprehension that it could be misinterpreted.
"There were indeed some underlying implications present," Steinberg clarifies. "That is to say, Steve Young is entirely confident in his sexual identity. We are completely at ease with his place in the world, and part of that involves the ability to playfully address some of the speculation."
According to Kopay, who presently manages Linoleum City, his family's floor-covering enterprise in Los Angeles, the discomfort he engendered within the NFL ultimately prevented him from securing a coaching position within the league.
"Any other individual who dedicated a decade to the NFL, demonstrated exceptional performance, thoroughly understood the intricacies of the game, and actively sought opportunities to advance his career, would certainly be capable of achieving such a goal," says Kopay, who is scheduled to engage with ESPN.com users today at 3 p.m. ET. "I also explored some avenues at San Francisco State University, and their response was, 'Don't even consider it. Forget it.' This occurred in San Francisco back in 1977."
"I remain convinced that I could still excel as a coach."
Kopay, who generally exhibits an optimistic outlook on most facets of his life, concedes that the prolonged absence of an openly gay NFL player has instilled a sense of pessimism. He does not anticipate this occurrence within the current generation of athletes.
"Despite the perception of widespread liberalism we all like to project," comments Bruce Armstrong, the Patriots' Pro Bowl offensive tackle, "it would undoubtedly serve as a significant distraction. I don't believe we have reached a sufficient level of societal maturity to effectively manage such a situation at this time."
Kopay posits that if it were a prominent star athlete earning the substantial salaries prevalent today, it might be feasible. "The NFL would need to adapt, much as it eventually did in response to the Civil Rights movement, and they would be compelled to retain that player."
What if the individual were a lesser-known player earning the league minimum?
"You would be dismissed," Kopay states emphatically. "Gone."
Kopay, aged 56, appears visibly weary. He has been advocating for this cause for twenty-three years. It is abundantly clear that he is fatigued from bearing this burden alone.
"I do believe it is destined to occur before I depart this earth. I anticipate it will happen within the next generation, roughly another twenty years."
Forward your reflections on the series concerning homosexuality and homophobia to espnet2@espn.com. A selection of submitted comments will be published on Friday, marking the conclusion of the series.