By Ross Forman
Esera Tuaolo, an openly gay former NFL player, led Team Outsports to a gold medal in the men's competitive division of flag football at Gay Games VII.
Tuaolo, playing inside linebacker, was teary-eyed when Team Outsports defeated the New York Bad Apples 26-13 for the title, especially after trailing 7-6 at halftime.
'It was great, an incredible experience,' said Tuaolo, who played for five NFL teams during his 10-year career before retiring in 2000, which included one Super Bowl appearance. 'At the Super Bowl, I couldn't really be myself; I couldn't really share my life with anyone. But being myself, being free in the Gay Games was totally a lot better than the Super Bowl.'
Tuaolo, who also played volleyball in the Games ( though the team did not medal ) , confirmed that he is planning to compete in Gay Games VIII in 2010 in Cologne, Germany.
'Flag football definitely is a sport for the smaller player, the skill-position players; it's not for the offensive and defensive linemen,' Tuaolo said. 'But I still have some quickness.'
Tuaolo said his one lasting Games memory was the Opening Ceremony. 'That was amazing,' he said.
Tuaolo said his Games' experience was 'incredible, phenomenal [ and ] definitely something I wish I had a feeling like while in the NFL.' He said winning gold was simply 'icing on the cake.'
'The Outsports team had a lot of great athletes and we just got the job done,' Tuaolo said. 'After the tournament, a lot of other players seemed surprised that I would play in the Games. But for me, it was like, 'Wow; I can't really believe I am playing in the Games.''