Arizona State offensive lineman Edward “Chip” Sarafin came out as the first publicly homosexual football player in the FBS in an interview in Compete Magazine.
Sarafin is the first active college football player in division I NCAA to come out of the closet.
Diversity and acceptance are two pillars of our program, Todd Graham says about Chip Sarafin. http://t.co/GLdwnkG84z pic.twitter.com/rROqVtJzYM
— Pac-12 Networks (@Pac12Networks) August 13, 2014
"It was really personal to me, and benefitted my peace of mind greatly," Sarafin, who came out to teammates last spring, told Complete Magazine.
Sarafin, a fifth year senior, has spent most of his time at Arizona State playing on the scout team. He is listed at 6’6” and 320 pounds and has yet to enter a game as an offensive lineman, but has played on special teams.
Conner Mertens, a kicker for Willamette University in Division III, came out as bisexual in January. Mitch Eby, a defensive end from Chapman University in Division III, publicly came out in May.
These announcements are a part of a larger movement toward accepting homosexuals in sports. NBA free agent Jason Collins broke the barrier as the first publically gay athlete, and St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam became the first openly gay NFL player.