Byron Perkins First Openly Gay American Football Player At An HBCU
On October 19, the Hampton University student made history as the first American football player at an historically black colleges and universities, or HBCU, to come out as gay.
Bryon Perkins revealed the landmark news in an emotional Instagram story. “I’ve decided that I’m going to make a change, and stop running away from myself,” the defensive back wrote.
“I’m gay, let it be known that this is not a 'decision' or a 'choice.' Yes, this is who I am, this is who I’ve been, and this is who I’m going to be. Simply put, I am who I am. For the friends and family that have known and supported me to this point, thank you, and for the friends and family that I will lose… Thank you too. You have all helped me in the process of building the young man I am today.”
Perkin’s groundbreaking announcement has made him the first openly gay active American football player within the HBCU athletic system, according to Gay Times.
The Virginia-based student gave further insight into his journey and what spurred his groundbreaking announcement in an interview.
“I’ve been self-reflective and trying to prioritize what makes me happy and makes me feel alive. I thought it could just be football and school, but there was a component missing,” he explained. “And recently, I’ve been able to figure out that I haven’t been fully happy because everyone didn’t know who I was. Authenticity is everything to me.”
Bryon said he hopes to be an example to other Black gay athletes who may be struggling with their identity.
“Especially at an HBCU, young Black gay men need an outlet. They need a support system. There hasn’t been an out gay football athlete at an HBCU,” he told the news outlet. “I want to end the stigma of what people think. I want people to know they can be themselves. It’s about that kid who’s going to see this and think he can be himself too.”
He now joins a growing list of American football players who came out during their collegiate careers – including Kansas State’s Scott Frantz, Capital University’s Wyatt Pertuset, and Northwood University’s Jacob Van Ittersum.
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