David Kopay
American Football

In 1964 he was co-captain of the University of Washington's Rose Bowl American football team.

He then signed up with the San Francisco Forty-Niners and played mainly with them for several years, except for one year when he was traded to play with the Detroit Lions. His American football career as running back continued until 1972 during which time he also played for the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and Green Bay Packers.

There were rumours about David Kopay being gay and he was not interviewed for nor was he offered sponsorships.

In 1975 he saw an article in the Washington Star based on an interview with Jerry Smith who was an American Football tight end with the Washington Redskins from 1965 to 1977. The article was one of a series on gay athletes written by Lynn Rosellini. It did not name Jerry Smith but Kopay recognised who it was and was annoyed by him going as far as talking to a reporter but then failing to go all the way and coming out. David Kopay contacted Lynn Rosellini and arranged for an article to be written and it was published in the Washington Star in December 1975. In the article he came out publicly as gay. As a result many hate letters were sent to the newspapers and television channels who reported the coming out. However, Kopay also received letters from people who thanked him for the way he had changed their lives by his coming out and had given them courage.

The book The David Kopay Story, written with Perry Young, was chosen by the American Library Association in 1977 as a recommended book for all students. It was also on the New York Times best-seller list.

Kopay subsequently spoke about his experiences at a number of universities. He was also invited to speak to the American Bar Association and to the American Association of Pediatricians. However, he was never contacted by the National Football League.

Reading: The David Kopay Story: An Extraordinary Self-Revelation, with Perry Deane Young, 1988, second edition, New York: Donald I. Fine.