Former National Football League player Esera Tuaolo had just come out in November 2002 when the last Gay Games was held in Sydney, Australia.
But since that time Tuaolo has heard enough about the Gay Games that he is determined not to miss the next one in Chicago in 2006. In fact, he has become the latest Gay Games Ambassador promoting the event itself and the Gay Games movement's ideals of 'participation, inclusion and personal best.'
'Playing in the National Football League as a gay man has given me strength in areas that I never thought I could make a difference,' Tuaolo said. 'Now that I am out and proud I have learned that breaking stereotypes is a very important part of moving forward in our fight for equality. That's what the Gay Games are all about—breaking down stereotypes about athletes in the LGBT community I'm happy to add my voice to those telling the world that Gay Games participants, whether novice or world class athletes, are your mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins.'
Tuaolo, a Samoan born in Hawaii, was well liked and respected during his nine NFL years for his sunny disposition and accomplishments on the field. He was a quick, 280-pound defensive tackle who entered the NFL after having been selected the best defensive lineman in the Pac-10 in 1989 at Oregon State. He was elected to the NFL all-rookie team in 1991 while playing for the Green Bay Packers, spent several years playing for the Minnesota Vikings, and he was on the Atlanta Falcons team that won the National Football Conference title and played in Super Bowl XXXIII in 1998.
But Tuaolo has acknowledged the difficulty of being a closeted gay man in the world of football. He struggled with drinking and depression. Even after retiring in 1999, it took him more than three years to begin living openly.
'I am very thankful to those athletes whose inspiring stories have paved the way for a gay athlete like myself,' said Tuaolo. 'I will always be grateful to David Kopay for writing his story, as it gave me hope and, during some dark moments, the will to live. I only pray that my story is equally inspiring to others.' Former NFL running back David Kopay came out in his 1977 autobiography that became a New York Times bestseller.
Since coming out, Tuaolo has become a spokesperson for the community, seeking to help young people learn about life through his experiences. But perhaps the most important speech he has given was just last month when he was invited to talk about being a gay man in sports to nearly 200 NFL employees at league headquarters in New York.
See www.GayGamesChicago.org .