Mon. Aug 4th, 2025

Following Michael Sam, Another Football Player Comes out as Gay

Chip Sarafin

An Arizona college football player has told a magazine he is gay, probably making him the first active major college football player to come out publicly.

Chip Sarafin, an offensive lineman at Arizona State University, told a local gay sports magazine he decided to start telling his teammates last spring about his sexuality.

“It was really personal to me, and it benefited my peace of mind greatly,” Sarafin said in an interview in the August issue of Compete magazine.

He said he wanted his teammates to hear the news from him and not from “the college rumor mill.”

Sarafin is thought to be the first active Division I college football player to say in public that he is homosexual.

His announcement followed a groundbreaking revelation in February by defensive end Michael Sam, who said he was gay after his final college football season finished in Missouri.

Sam, a Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year, was drafted in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams and would become the National Football League’s first openly gay player if he makes the team.

Sarafin, at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, is competing as a graduate student after receiving his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering this spring.

The native of Gilbert, Arizona, is involved in research relating to football head injuries, the school’s website says. He also is active with several community groups, including those attempting to end discrimination and bullying in youth sports.

Top Arizona State sports administrators said they strongly supported Sarafin and praised his accomplishments.

Vice President of Athletics Ray Anderson said in a statement the player “embodies all the characteristics that sets our student-athletes apart and allows our university to maintain an environment of inclusiveness and progression.”

Head football coach Todd Graham said Sarafin is well on his way to becoming successful once his playing days are over.

“Diversity and acceptance are two of the pillars of our program, and he has full support from his teammates and the coaching staff,” Graham said.


Reporting by David Schwartz; editing by Daniel Wallis and David Gregorio.

© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.

By

Leave a Reply

By submitting your comment, you agree to receive occasional emails from [email protected], and its authors, including insights, exclusive content, and special offers. You can unsubscribe at any time. (U.S. residents only.)

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Podcasts

More News
The Lord’s Prayer and Cultural Change
The Lord’s Prayer and Cultural Change
I Found God In My Children’s Eyes
I Found God In My Children’s Eyes
5 Sins That Open the Door to Demons, and How to Shut Them for Good
5 Sins That Open the Door to Demons, and How to Shut Them for Good
5 Signs You’re Falling Into End-Times Deception and Don’t Even Know It
5 Signs You’re Falling Into End-Times Deception and Don’t Even Know It
Why Grace Is the Most Underrated Weapon in the Christian Life
Why Grace Is the Most Underrated Weapon in the Christian Life
Warning to the Church: Gossip is Quenching the Fire of the Holy Spirit
Warning to the Church: Gossip is Quenching the Fire of the Holy Spirit
Perry Stone Reveals Hidden Battles Ministries Face
Perry Stone Reveals Hidden Battles Ministries Face
A Vision of Hell: What This Woman Saw After Her Car Accident
A Vision of Hell: What This Woman Saw After Her Car Accident
What Set This Revelation Church Apart from the Others?
What Set This Revelation Church Apart from the Others?
Rescued From the Pit
Rescued From the Pit
previous arrow
next arrow
Shadow

Latest Videos
113K Subscribers
1.3K Videos
12.6M Views

Copy link