Gay Former Green Bay Packer Speaks to U of W

Students at the University of Wisconsin are preparing for National Coming Out Week, and former defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers, Esera Tuaolo, is scheduled to speak to the school’s student body about his life as a closeted gay athlete.

Tuaolo, author of “Alone in the Trenches”, a book released in 2006 highlighs his personal trials and tribulations as a gay athlete, will address his struggles with his own sexuality. Tuaolo came out publicly in 2002.

Tuaolo is the third former NFL player to come out, after David Kopay and Roy Simmons. He has continued to work with the NFL in an attempt to combat homophobia in the league and is a board member of the Gay and Lesbian Athletics Foundation.