(ETH) – The NFL is reportedly planning on releasing a public service announcement to support LGBTQ+ players. In the 30 second video, it will feature openly gay and bisexual former players such as Ryan O’Callaghan, Jeff Rohrer, R.K. Russell, and Wade Davis encouraging current LGBTQ+ athletes to share their stories to the Nation.
The video called “National Coming Out Day” PSA was reportedly released on YouTube on Saturday and has roughly 20,000 views so far. The video begins with O’Callaghan, Rohrer, Russell, and Davis collectively saying: “To all current players who are thinking of coming out, when you are ready, so are we.”
It is then followed by current NFL players, including Rob Gronkowski, DeAndre Hopkins, and Calais Campbell, who also express their support, saying, “It takes all of us, and you deserve to be all you.” The video was scheduled to air during game broadcasts today as a part of the NFL’s “It Takes All Of Us” campaign.
NFL Executive Vice President Troy Vincent is also expressing his support for LGBTQ+ players considering coming out. Vincent stated: “There has never been a single active player that has come out. While I’m sure I’ve played with LGBTQ+ players — highly skilled, athletic, and effective at their jobs — they did not come out. But they were my teammates and part of the larger NFL family.”
He went on to say: “Anyone in the player community who may be considering coming out, know this — I am committed to serving as a conduit to help you through that journey — either myself, in collaboration with my teammates at the league office, or through the many organizations with whom we partner on LGBTQ+ issues. We have no way of knowing if an active NFL player would choose to come out, or what they might experience. What I do know is that I am committed to celebrate, support, and welcome them.”
