Coming Out Kicking: A gay Christian college standout eyes historic NFL opportunity

Alan Gendreau was the starting kicker at Middle Tennessee State for four years. In that time he became the all-time leading scorer in Sun Belt Conference history. He's also gay and was embraced warmly by his team. Now, a year after graduating, he's lacing up his cleats again in hopes for a shot at the NFL. In his first interview, Gendreau talks to Outsports' Cyd Zeigler about being gay and Christian in football.

[beezy]

Alan, I love you and think you're great! "be the change you wish to see in the world." don't listen to the haters on here. you are a hero baby!

[michaelamaya]

be all you can be, just don't let it get to ya. thank you for sharing michael.

[GBOS]

Alan Gendreau ... You are a HERO to many of us who are gay and who love the game of football. I hope you succeed in your goal of making it to the NFL.

If you don't, however, I'm a gay lawyer who would be MORE than happy to help you fight for your rights and represent you. :)

Stay strong, sir!

[SomeToShoutFor]

very true, we get sidetracked from what this video is truly about, this boy is an amazing role model to kids everywhere

[xXMexiRokrXx]

Good on this guy, doing what other people deem as a "straight guy" sport and not caring about what other's think. Not only that, he's excelling in it. Really awesome that he's breaking down that barrier.

[CreatingPulsars]

No. I'm a college grad currently. but even when I was a 17 year old high school student, I knew how to research and think for myself. Question EVERYTHING. Don't ever stop questioning what you're told. Don't sell yourself short by pretending you're too young to do anything but trust how you were raised is right.

[shidinja]

You wouldn't even know he's gay unless you asked him. I'm sure he's got more important things on his mind than checking out every random guy that walks by.

[OreosCrumbs]

No hating here, but if nothing existed before you were born, why would there exist something AFTER? Life is once. If the end is not such an end, then what is the end?
You know why people create spaces such as Heaven or Hell? That's because people fear Death and they don't want to realize everything will once, be over.

[BenAlkaline]

How about giving this man attention for his talent and his abilities not because of the fact that he is gay? I bet he's also a pretty cool dude to hang out with too. Sounds like a well spoken, intelligent individual.

[budmoore]

I am currently single, I have no desire for a relationship currently, but I won't rule out a relationship with another man, as well as a woman. My daughter has a girlfriend and knows that I support her in this relationship. I've met the girl, she's a very nice person, and I'm very happy for them both. I had an, one of two, who never married and was an alcoholic. He was "rumored" to have "illicit affairs", but I never knew what my parents were refering to. Yeah, I do believe that it's hereditary.

[ActuallyChicoSuave]

T-bo would be like OH HELL NO THAT'S MY SPOT LIGHT

[RCSVirginia]

Good luck to Alan Gendreau in football and whatever else he chooses to do in life! He is a fine, young man!

[laughandmakelaugh]

A very good, yet sad, movie to watch on the topic of why someone being gay CAN be seen as behaving in a wicked manner but actually is NOT being wicked at all is "Prayers for Bobby". A young gay adult, Bobby, has a mother who is CERTAIN of her understanding of the Bible (as she was taught it, and had never questioned it herself) and her son struggles to deal with her and convince her otherwise. Very good movie.

[Skyriderfilms]

What surprises me most is the fact, that his team mates new he was gay, and were cool with it. The stereotype of the homophobic locker room doesn't seem to be true. If you want to learn more about the situation of gay athletes, check out our channel and watch "Football", a 3 min comedic webisode about a gay college football player.

[jeffreystracner]

The fact that some of you people actually take time out of your day in order to say hurtful things is trashy, embarrassing and only speaks negatively on your own personal character. This man is my friend, and whether or not he's gay or straight should be of no concern to people who are not accepting. NEWS FLASH: There are several people in the NFL who are gay, they just don't have the courage to put it out in the open. Words of hatred are not something that I think God would approve of...

[bencia]

when I heard about a gay guy trying to get into the NFL, my first thought was "let me guess, it's a kicker". nailed it.

[ChrisLamberts]

Thank you for making this video. Keep strong.

[shidinja]

The point > Your head. What he meant was that you don't get to choose where you're born the same way you don't choose your sexual orientation.

[ImTheSecretSquare]

0:35 - walked away from the sport? He went out for the draft and didn't make it, and no other team signed him - only four kickers were drafted and six signed undrafted. He's not good enough - there's no shame in that. You have to be incredible to make it in the NFL as a kicker. As an undrafted kicker in 2012 he was competing with Grant Ressel, Justin Tucker, Carson Wiggs, and the like - he's not them. I don't want to see the first gay NFL player be a person who didn't deserve to be there.

[JordanjamesX]

This is incredible, but will the NFL give this young man a chance? I really hope he definitely has the talent for the NFL.