This is a sideways view of my play MR. JELLO–1968
DAVID KOPAY, the former running back played 10 seasons of professional football in the National Football League. He shook up the sports world i 1975 when he publicly announced to a national newspaper that he was gay. “When I came out as a gay man, I was confronting bigotry, the silence, and the hatred directed towards gay men and women,” Kopay said in a 2009 speech. “Gay men have always been considered weak, silly and equated with women as being something less. Sure, hatred still exists, but there is a huge difference now. Hatred, dominance and brutality are no longer considered fashionable, celebrated or tolerated. Hopefully. more people will continue to embrace change and diversity.”
KOPAY enrolled at the U. of Washington and in 1964 he was named ALL-AMERICAN as well as Rose Bowl co-captain. He was signed by the SF 49ers and he eventually played for the legendary VINCE LOMBARDI. After he retired from football, he wanted to coach professionally but believed his sexual orientation stood in the way. Since he retired only two former NFL players have come out of the closet. ROY SIMMONS IN 1992 and Esera Tuaolo in 2002.
HE IS ONE OF MY HEROES!