Skip To Main Content
Students walking on campus
No post to display.

Former NFL Player Ryan O’Callaghan Shares Struggles with Coming Out

Post RSS Feeds Subscribe to Post Alerts
A man in a suit is standing at a podium, gesturing with his hands as he speaks to an audience seated in front of him.
  • Speaker Program
Former NFL Player Ryan O’Callaghan Shares Struggles with Coming Out

On September 30, 2022, our guest speaker, former NFL player Ryan O’Callaghan, shared his personal story of coming out at as gay. In college he played for the University of California, Berkeley where he earned all American honors and was the recipient of the Morris Trophy; presented to the most outstanding lineman in the Pac-12 conference. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2006 and had a six year NFL career. After retirement, he came out and went on to start The Ryan O’Callaghan Foundation to provide scholarship and support for LGBTQ athletes. He published his memoir titled, My Life On The Line in 2019. 

Mr. O’Callaghan shared his struggle with self-acceptance and that he had convinced himself that no one would accept him as a gay man, reconciling that he would end his life when his football career had ended. "I chose football as a cover for my sexuality. Football was my beard. No one would ever think a macho football player could be gay," he said. 

The turning point was when he came out to the Chiefs' clinical psychologist, and then later to teammates and family, who were all supportive. He now speaks openly about his struggles and coming out. He urged the students to simply be themselves. Following the School Meeting, he was available in the Kraft Theater for a Q&A session with students. 

A large auditorium filled with a crowd of people seated in rows, facing a projection screen at the front of the room.
A man in a suit is standing at a podium in front of an audience, delivering a presentation or speech.
Two men in formal business attire stand in front of a building with white columns, surrounded by greenery.
A man in a suit is standing at a podium, gesturing with his hands as he speaks to an audience seated in front of him.

Recent News Stories

Jack Dragoumanos ’26 and Isaac Novod ‘27 Become Three-Time All Americans
Jack Dragoumanos ’26 and Isaac Novod ‘27 Become Three-Time All Americans

For the third consecutive year, wrestlers Jack Dragoumanos ’26 and Isaac Novod ’27 earned All American honors at the National Prep Championships. Held on February 21, 2026, at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, over 140 teams from around the country competed across the two-day tournament. Jack and Isaac’s performances capped off impressive seasons where both wrestlers also won their respective weight classes at the Graves-Kelsey Tournament and the New England Prep Tournament.

Read More about Jack Dragoumanos ’26 and Isaac Novod ‘27 Become Three-Time All Americans