TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — University of Arizona recruit My-King Johnson is set to become the first active openly gay scholarship player in major-college football history.
“I do feel like when I say that (I’m gay), it can put a target on my back. But whatever,” Johnson told The Arizona Daily Star for a story Saturday.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end starred at Tempe High School. He signed with the home-state Wildcats after verbally committing to Pac-12 Conference rival UCLA.
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The Daily Star said Johnson said he was gay to Arizona defensive line coach Vincent Amey during the recruiting process. Johnson said Amey replied that “we want you to be a Wildcat.” Now 17, Johnson said he was 12 when he came out to his friends and family.
Former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam announced he was gay in February 2014, about a month after completing his college career. Kyle Kurdziolek, a linebacker at NAIA program St. Francis (Illinois) told OutSports this month he’s gay. Chip Sarafin, a walk-on offensive lineman at Arizona State at the time, told Compete magazine in the summer of 2014 that he’s gay.
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