Bradley Kim, a defensive back for the U.S. Air Force Academy's football team, became the first openly gay footballer to play for a major U.S. service academy team when he came out on Friday, Fox News reported.
The sophomore made the announcement via social media as well as local news outlets, saying he wanted to share his sexual orientation in the hope of reaching others who may be struggling with similar situations that he faced growing up.
"I want to be that example for kids that you can be gay, you can pursue your dreams, and you can have an athletic career," he told Outsports in an interview.
Kim said he knew he was gay in high school, when he was attending Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington, but as a three-year starter, senior captain and All-Conference football player, he could not accept it himself, let alone confide in anyone else.
That all changed when he joined the Air Force and started playing for the Air Force Falcons.
"I've spent too many years worrying what other people will think and letting it affect what I do in my daily life. And I’m kind of done with that," he told Outsports.
His sexual orientation has no bearing on his ability to play football, Kim said.
"No one cares here. We all go through the same thing, we all go through basic training. What we go through going through the Academy goes way deeper than worrying about what someone will think."
Kim had already confided in his parents as well as with coaches and various other people at the air Force Academy but, before going public with his news on Friday, he sat down with the rest of his team and told them about his sexual orientation – and they gave him a standing ovation.
Next, he took to Instagram to make the announcement.
"I did not think this day would ever come, but I’ve finally reached the point where I am comfortable and confident enough with myself to say that I am gay," he said, adding that he almost gave up on his dream to play football for fear of not being accepted.
"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," he said. "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."
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