This out gay footballer is about to make history

A 17-year-old is about to make history as an out gay footballer.

My-King Johnson, from Arizona, will become the first openly gay scholarship player in big-time college football history.

Johnson was named one of the best defensive players in Arizona, and has progressed fast since then.

But being openly gay in sport isn’t news to him – having come out at the age of 12.

“It can put a target on my back,” Johnson told the Arizona Daily Star. “But whatever.”

“I’m a very honest person,” he told the newspaper.

“I just don’t see how I could be living an honest, truthful life and have that in the background.”

National Football League (NFL) Michael Sam came out in 2014, and was celebrated by many for his decision.

However he subsequantly said coming out had “ruined his career” and quit the sport.

Fellow players of Johnson have been supportive of him, making the same expectations of any player, he says.

“I love how open he is,” Alfonso Arispe, a teammate says.

“He doesn’t care because he’s focused on what he’s doing, and he’s focused on himself.

“Clearly, it shouldn’t affect anyone else, but no matter what, he doesn’t care about that. It doesn’t bother him one bit.”

The teen is keen to just be the best player he can, though, saying that’s all that matters.

A recent report found that far fewer lesbian, gay and bi kids play sport than their straight counterparts.

• TV
• Dec 18 2024

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