Kevin Maxen said in an interview with Outsports that he wants to live without fear and inspire others to do the same.
By Kevin Max made history in US elite sports. Maxen, who works as a strength coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the American football NFL league, said In an interview with Outsports being homosexual.
Maxen is the first openly gay male coach in the US men’s major leagues.
– I don’t want to feel like I have to think about it anymore. I don’t want to feel like I have to lie about who I’m seeing or why I’m living with someone. I want to support people who live the way they want, but I also just want to live and not be afraid of people’s reactions.
Maxen said that his road to public exit has been long. In recent years, however, his close circle has given increasingly strong support for doing it. Maxen has dated his current partner Nick’s with two years.
– Recently – with the tremendous love and support of my family, friends and colleagues, and the courage of my partner – I realized that I have a right and a responsibility to love and be loved, and that maybe sharing this will give someone else the strength to accept their life and take control of their story.
Maxen said that he has felt difficult in the past at events where members of the Jaguars organization have introduced their families. Maxen also talked about the feelings of anger and frustration he experienced.
– I had such hatred towards myself. I thought it was because of the fear of what others might think of who I am. But it wasn’t that. It was anger at myself for setting myself up for a life where I lived by other people’s rules, not my own.
After coming out, Maxen has received a lot of support and praise from, for example, his former and current coaches. The NFL published on the subject I talk on their website. Jaguars owner Shad Khan praised Maxen for ESPN.
– I look forward to seeing Kevin at the training camp and I hope that he comes to work every day feeling confident, free and calm. I know our players and staff feel the same way.
Standing out from the crowd is nothing new for Maxen. He said that he has really had time to familiarize himself with issues related to diversity.
– As a black Jew who has dated both men and women and who has been a coach at the highest level, I have learned that my appearance, what I believe in and especially who I am attracted to should not affect how I or other people see my worth.