In an interview with CNN yesterday, former San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Kwame Harris came out as a homosexual.
Harris had been arrested in January for beating an ex-boyfriend and said he underwent significant stress and pressure, keeping his sexuality a secret during his playing days.
“You want to escape the despair and turmoil and your mind goes to dark places,” Harris said of keeping his sexuality secret. “I’m happy today, and I’m glad they were just ideas and I didn’t act on any of them.
“The cost was great not speak candidly open about myself in complete manner,” Harris said. “If I could have done it differently, I would have hoped I found the strength [to come out].”
Harris played for the 49ers from 2003-2007.
Ironically, Chris Culliver – a cornerback on that same team this year – got into major trouble two months ago when he denied there were any gay players in his locker room and made disparaging remarks about homosexuals in general.
He later apologized and met with a support group for gay, lesbians and bisexuals.