With the same as extracting a mueller Ex cardinals Star Brad Thorson Comes Out

Brad Thorson, a former college football star who signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2011, came out as gay on his blog over Independence Day:

I’ve been told many times that the process of coming out is cathartic. Yet since coming to terms with my sexuality, I found it arduous and unnecessary.

At least that’s what I kept telling myself. So today, I’m putting it in writing and not looking back.

I’m gay.

I’m also an athlete. For years, I struggled to unite these two identities in my own mind. Not until after my professional athletic career came to an end did I allow myself to understand my sexuality.

Now, three years later, I’m finally ready to share that with people.

Thorson told OutSports he had tried to write the post many times but couldn’t find the words. “I was so nervous before I wrote it, but once I wrote it I was proud of writing it and it wasn’t something I wanted to hide away anymore.”

He says friends, family and former teammates have all been supportive. “Everyone who has reached out have been nothing but supportive. I should have expected that all along.”

Thorson played college football at both Wisconsin and Kansas, where he was an offensive lineman. While he went unselected in the 2011 NFL draft pick, he signed as a free agent that summer with the Arizona Cardinals. But he was put on the injured-reserve list when he broke his foot and never played in a regular season game.

After training with the Canadian Football League’s Regina Roughriders, Thorson ultimately decided to leave the sport.

Since moving to San Francisco last year, though, he’s gotten involved with rugby and will travel to Sydney for the Bingham Cup as a member of the San Francisco Fog.

Thorson told Outsports he hopes by telling his story he can reach other athletes who are struggling to reconcile their sexuality with society’s idea of masculinity.

 “I know there are other kids out there struggling, and I hope some of them can relate with me on some things and make them feel more comfortable with who they are,” Thorson says. “I regret not doing this sooner, but we all come to this on our own timeline. Hopefully this will help some kids get there too.”

 by Dan Avery

 Photo: Brad Thorson’s Instagram