Former Gophers OL McAvoy recalls coming out to teammates
Former Gophers offensive lineman Luke McAvoy is opening up about this experiences as a gay college football player following a three-year career with the University of Minnesota.
McAvoy penned a first-person post for SB Nation's Outsports.com on Wednesday, recounting the reactions of his teammates when he came out in 2014 and the emotional impact of keeping his orientation a secret for so long.
"I was ready for them to go off, to demand to go home. I expected them to disown me," McAvoy wrote of his initial talk with two Gophers teammates. "None of that happened. Instead, I heard, 'that takes balls, man" and "I am proud of you.'"
Former Gophers special teamers Peter Mortell and Chris Hawthorne shared their support for McAvoy on Twitter, while his brother, fellow Minnesota football alum Kyle McAvoy, was similarly supportive.
A teammate, a great friend, and most importantly an inspiration. Kudos @lukemcavoy. Today, we celebrate YOU. https://t.co/Xx4hRpLhP3
— Peter Mortell (@PMortell37) February 10, 2016
So proud to call this guy a friend and teammate. #courage @lukemcavoy https://t.co/0v3syoAL60
— Chris Hawthorne (@CHawthorne36) February 10, 2016
The greatest human being I know. Strong, courageous, and unwaveringly tenacious in everything he does. #Proud https://t.co/vXo5spxIJX
— Kyle McAvoy (@KyleMcAvoy) February 10, 2016
A native of Bloomington, Ill., McAvoy played sparingly for the Gophers from 2011-14, and came out just two days after former Missouri star Michael Sam's story made national headlines.
He says that Sam's courage helped prompt his decision.
"I am incredibly grateful to him," McAvoy wrote. "Selfishly he allowed me a chance to judge my friends' reactions before really telling them."
Meanwhile, former Nebraska kicker Eric Lueshen (who published his own story to Outsports in 2014) tweeted out his own endorsement of McAvoy's story.
Congrats #UMN football player @lukemcavoy on sharing your truth & coming out publicly. Welcome to #LGBTathlete fam! https://t.co/6FziQLKW6e
— Eric Lueshen (@Elueshenary) February 10, 2016
McAvoy said that sharing his former secret with his teammates was a turning point in his life.
"The relief of just two people knowing was incredible," McAvoy said in the article. "I felt better than I ever had. I finally could focus on what was going on around me even though I still wasn't totally out. After that night, word slowly spread. We never had a team meeting nor did I ever really announce it but people learned and I did not deny it anymore."
McAvoy now works as a middle school teacher in Milwaukee.
