LGBTQ+ history in sports!
Instagram (@kmax3824)
Kevin Maxen, the assistant strength coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, has come out. With this announcement, Maxen makes history as the first male coach in a U.S. professional league to come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Maxen started questioning his sexuality in college, a period when he was still actively playing football as an athlete and was the captain of his team. Prior to joining the Jaguars as a coach, Maxen had already coached teams like the Baylor Bears and the Vanderbilt Commodores.
In an interview with Outsports, Maxen discussed the pressures of coming out in the world of sports while also feeling like he shouldn't be hiding who he is. He also talked about reaching out to out gay football star Carl Nassib before coming out.
"I don't want to feel like I have to think about it anymore," Maxen explained. "I don't want to feel like I have to lie about who I am seeing, or why I am living with someone else. I want to be vocal in support of people living how they want to live, but I also want to just live and not feel fear about how people will react."
Maxen added, "It wasn't until recently — and with the immense love and support of my family, my friends, colleagues and peers, and the courage and sacrifice from my partner — that I realized I have the right and responsibility to love and be loved, and that maybe sharing this will hopefully give someone else the strength to accept their own life and take control of their own story."
Maxen came out while already having a boyfriend of two and a half years. And despite being afraid of the reactions he could get from friends, the football star was met with nothing but love and friendly questions. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?" they asked.
Congratulations to Kevin Maxen for making LGBTQ+ history.
