Former Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo told The Baltimore Sun that four current NFL players are considering coming out as gay.
“I think it will happen sooner than you think,” Ayanbadejo, a vocal proponent of gay rights, told the Sun. “We’re in talks with a handful of players who are considering it. There are up to four players being talked to right now, and they’re trying to be organized so they can come out on the same day together. It would make a major splash and take the pressure off one guy. It would be a monumental day if a handful or a few guys come out.
“Of course, there would be backlash. If they could share the backlash, it would be more positive. It’s cool. It’s exciting. We’re in talks with a few guys who are considering it. The NFL and organizations are already being proactive and open if a player does it and if something negative happens. We’ll see what happens.”
Ayanbadejo recently was cut from the Ravens, but he emphasized to the Sun that he didn’t think that had anything to do with his outspoken advocacy for gay rights.
The Ravens issued a statement on Thursday to the same effect, saying: “We have always been respectful of Brendon’s opinions and his right to express those. Our decision regarding his departure from the team has everything to do with football. Nothing else.”
