In the Bleachers

UMass Derrick Gordon Becomes 1st Openly Gay D1 College Basketball Player

UMass-Derrick-Gordon-Openly-Gay

The landscape for professional sports has changed. For the second time in 2014, a D1 college athlete has announced that he is gay.

UMass starter Derrick Gordon has come out as the first openly gay male college basketball player in D-I history. He told his teammates on April 2, a few days after telling his parents, according to a story by Kate Fagan of espnW.com.

When he told his team, UMass coach Derek Kellogg was the first to respond, saying, “We’re all here together, and we need to love each other for who we are,” he said. “One of your family members, your brother, wants to let you know something about himself.”

Gordon said that he drew inspiration from previous players who have come out as gay in other sports, such as Jason Collins and Michael Sam.

“It was a rough process, actually, leading up to this,” Gordon said. “Those guys just helped me get to where I am right now,” Gordon said. “If it wasn’t for them, I’d be stuck. For this to be happening right now, me coming out, it’s an indescribable feeling, honestly. I couldn’t be any happier. I feel like I can fly.”

Gordon posted the below to his Instagram account on Wednesday morning.

This is the happiest I have ever been in my 22 Years of living…No more HIDING!!!…Just want to live life happy and play the sport that I love…Really would love to thank my family, friends, coaches, and teammates for supporting me….I would also like to thank my support team Wade Davis, Jason Collins, Brian Sims, Micah Porter, Anthony Nicodemo, Patrick Burke,Billy Bean, Gerald McCullough, Kirk Walker…You guys are AWESOME!!! Ready to get back in the gym with my teammates and get on the GRIND and get ready for next season!!!! #BETRUE #BEYOURSELF #HONEYBADGER

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