Byron Perkins: 2024 NFL Draft’s Hot Out Player

April 28, 2024
ALEXANDER

Byron Perkins: 2024 NFL Draft's Hot Out Player

It's hard to believe that even with the boom of LGBTQ representation in the world that football remains such a closeted industry. Out of 250 potential pro players in this year's NFL draft, there is only one out athlete. Hampton University's Byron Perkins will await to hear if he has made the draft after showing his stuff this past week.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Byron Perkins (@byron.perkinz)

Last year, Perkins came out to Outsports and on Instagram after coming out of a dark period in his life when he wasn't living his authentic self.

“I’ve been self-reflective and trying to prioritize what makes me happy and makes me feel alive. I thought it could be just football and school, but there was a component missing. And recently I’ve been able to figure out that I haven’t been fully happy because everyone didn’t know who I was. Authenticity is everything to me.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Byron Perkins (@byron.perkinz)

Perkins is the first football player to come out at Hampton University. He wanted to come out not just for himself, but to also give other young, black gay men at the school a support system in coming out. He stated that while mostly positive, his team's reception to his coming out was mixed, and his coaches were supportive. He has spoken openly about being a proud Christian and being able to combine his faith with his sexuality. He has used his platform to promote equality and understanding and has spoken on panels with GLAAD and the NFL.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Byron Perkins (@byron.perkinz)

Byron is only the third openly gay athlete to take part in the NFL draft. He follows Michael Sam and Scott Franz. Michael Sam was drafted in the 7th round by the Rams. Sam was later released during the final preseason roster cuts. Franz never made it to the NFL.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Byron Perkins (@byron.perkinz)

In 2021, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Carl Nassib became the first active NFL player to come out.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Carl Nassib (@carlnassib)

We will find out shortly if Byron will make history as the 2nd openly gay active NFL player. Let's hope more footballers feel the courage to come out.