Happy Birthday, Dave Kopay

[Moondance]

Dave Kopay turned 75 yesterday, June 28.

 

In 1975, three years after his retirement from a nine-year career as an NFL running back, he was the first professional team sport athlete to declare his homosexuality.

 

Dave Kopay played for five teams during his career -- San Francisco, Detroit, Washington, New Orleans and Green Bay. He later tried to get into coaching, but neither the NFL nor colleges were interested after he had announced his homosexuality.

 

In the more than 40 years since he came out, only four other NFL athletes have done so.

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6R-IAMvFtMs/Uv8srcLPskI/AAAAAAAApu0/WX_64EZje3g/s1600/DaveKopay.jpg

 

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1555836380.01._SX500_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

 

http://fanpagepress.net/m/D/david-kopay-and-partner-2.jpg

 

http://www.elisarolle.com/romance/images/DavidKopay5.jpg

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zbBXo0mkTsY/VE2jcg1TjXI/AAAAAAAA3Cs/_AhWKv5lJ1s/s1600/dave-kopay-george-dureau.jpg

 

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/2014/07/_30C9266F_a_l.jpg

[+ Charlie]

I remember when this story was big news in the gay world. How quickly he has been forgotten.

[+ friendofsheila]

I remember when this story was big news in the gay world. How quickly he has been forgotten.

 

Yes, elder gays are required to disappear, mostly. Sad.

[Phil_musc]

I remember when the story first came out. And as far as I'm concerned, he never disappeared. I even read his book. I guess I had quite a crush.