Athletes You Might Not Know Are LGBTQ

Now more than ever, professional athletes are breaking barriers and coming out as members of the LGBTQ community. While many of these athletes are well-known throughout the world for their barrier-breaking, oftentimes, their stories may go untold. Here's a list of professional athletes who you might not know are LGBTQ.

Carl Nassib: NFL Player

In 2021, Carl Nassib became the first active NFL player to publicly come out as gay. Currently playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nassib has also played for the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders. An outside linebacker, he also advocates for the Trevor Project and its dedication to LGBTQ youth suicide prevention.

Katie McCabe: Soccer Player

Katie McCabe is an Irish football player. In 2017, she became the country's youngest football captain, and now leads the Republic of Ireland national team. McCabe came out publicly with her relationship with a fellow player in 2019 and has praised women's association football for its acceptance of LGBTQ players.

Dorien Bryant: NFL Player

Dorien Bryant had a wildly successful college football career before being drafted as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately, his professional ventures were cut short by a failed physical in 2008. First outed by an ex-boyfriend in college, Bryant is now openly gay and often shares his experience as a closeted gay athlete.