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Bradley Kim, a defensive back for the Air Force football team, has become a trailblazer. This weekend, the sophomore took to social media and published an article on OutSports.com that revealed he is gay. While we have seen multiple athletes coming out as openly gay in recent years, Kim’s story marks a first.
By coming out, Kim becomes the first openly gay player to ever suit up for one of the service academies — Air Force, Army, and Navy.
Kim published a lengthy statement on Instagram.
“I hope that I can serve as an example to those who are allowing their fear of acceptance to change who they are,” Kim wrote. “I almost gave up my dream of playing division 1 football for fear of not being accepted by everyone, but today I am happy to say that I am a cadet at the Air Force Academy playing the sport I love with amazing people standing behind me and supporting me.
“If anyone feels like they don’t have a voice or feel like they are alone, just know there are plenty of people out there like you and me, and more that are willing to talk to you about it. God bless all and thank you to everyone who has made me feel comfortable to live my most genuine life.”
According to OutSports, Kim told his teammates on Friday before the news became public. The article states that his teammates gave him a standing ovation.
Air Force released a statement which read, “The academy strives to foster a culture where everyone gives and receives dignity and respect so that each individual has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.”
It is always great to see people getting comfortable in their own skin and it says a lot about the progress that we continue to make as a country as athletes break down barriers.
Kim and the Falcons kickoff their 2018 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 1 against the Stony Brook Seawolves.
According to OutSports, Kim told his teammates on Friday before the news became public. The article states that his teammates gave him a standing ovation.
Air Force released a statement which read, “The academy strives to foster a culture where everyone gives and receives dignity and respect so that each individual has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.”
It is always great to see people getting comfortable in their own skin and it says a lot about the progress that we continue to make as a country as athletes break down barriers.
Kim and the Falcons kickoff their 2018 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 1 against the Stony Brook Seawolves.
