Jacksonville Jaguars assistant strength and conditioning coach Kevin Maxen told Outsports on Thursday that he is gay, making him the first publicly out male coach in major men’s pro sports in the United States.
“I don’t want to feel like I have to think about it anymore,” Maxen told Outsports. “I don’t want to feel like I have to lie about who I am seeing, or why I am living with someone else.
“I want to be vocal in support of people living how they want to live, but I also want to just live and not feel fear about how people will react.”
Maxen was a collegiate linebacker at Western Connecticut State before beginning his career as a strength coach. He previously coached at Baylor and Vanderbilt before joining the Jaguars in February 2021.
While Maxen admitted to Outsports that he doesn’t yet know what the reaction will be from Jaguars players, team owner Shad Khan and the team’s former center Brandon Linder were both supportive of the coach.
“Kevin is a Jacksonville Jaguar through and through, and a key member of our football team and community,” Khan told ESPN. “I look forward to seeing Kevin next week at training camp, and hope that he comes to work each day during camp and through the season feeling confident, free and at peace.”
Maxen is set to begin his third season with the Jaguars when training camp begins for rookies Friday and for the rest of the team Tuesday.
