In a first in men’s pro sports coaching, Jacksonville Jaguars associate strength coach Kevin Maxen came out in an interview with Cyd Zeigler of Outsports.
Although others in the NFL have come out, such as Carl Nassib, Michael Sam and former 49ers assistant Katie Sowers, but according to Outsports, Maxen is the first male coach to do so.
Hoping to inspire others to be true to themselves, Maxen told Zeigler that he wants to be open about living with his boyfriend instead of lying to others for fear of how they’ll react.
“I don’t want to feel like I have to think about it anymore,” Maxen told Outsports. “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: ‘I have the right and responsibility to love’
Maxen was inspired to speak out with Outsports after talking to Nassib, who came out in 2021 during Pride Month.
“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 said.
Prior to the Jaguars, Maxen worked as a strength coach at Baylor and Vanderbilt. He also had internships as a strength coach at the Iowa and Army.
Former Rams defender Michael Sam made history when he came out as gay ahead of the NFL Draft in 2014. He received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at that year’s ESPYs.
At the time Sam was drafted, President Barack Obama congratulated Sam and the league for “taking an important step forward today in our Nation’s journey.” He added: “From the playing field to the corporate boardroom, LGBT Americans prove every day that you should be judged by what you do and not who you are.”
A former Women’s Football Alliance player, Katie Sowers became the first female assistant coach in the NFL and the first openly gay assistant as well when she joined the 49ers in 2017. She also worked with the Falcons and Chiefs before taking a job at Ottowa University.
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