NFL’s Kevin Maxen Makes History As First Professional League Coach To Come Out
In an exclusive interview with Outsports, Jacksonville Jaguars strength coach Kevin Maxen has come out as gay. Maxen has become the first male coach in a US professional league to come out as gay and he wants to live his life freely and inspire others to do the same.
“I have the right and responsibility to love and be loved…”
Before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, Maxen enjoyed a successful football career at Western Connecticut State University. Maxen and the coaching team are held responsible for turning the Jaguars around and leading them to the playoffs after back-to-back seasons of being the worst team in the league.
Maxen tells Outsports that it was with the support of his close circle that he made the decision to come out publicly. “It wasn’t until recently – and with the immense love and support of my family, my friends, colleagues and peers, and the courage and sacrifice from my partner – that I realized I have the right and responsibility to love and be loved, and that maybe sharing this will hopefully give someone else the strength to accept their own life and take control of their own story,” he says.
Maxen’s announcement also comes with the revelation that he has been in a long-term relationship with his partner Nick for two years. “You have other coaches who have significant others, and they’re talking about their significant others,” Maxen tells Outsports. “And I felt guilty that I couldn’t do the same thing, that I was letting myself down. I want the person I’m with to be able to share that with me.”
On an Instagram post with partner Nicholas Garcia, users were quick to congratulate the happy couple and share how Maxen has inspired them. One user writes, “Hey Kevin, just wanted to say thank you. I’m the father of 3 young kids, and I view my job as a dad is to create an environment where the kids can learn to be confident enough if their morals, ethics, sexuality, and ideology to be true to themselves and not fear whatever reaction comes from the outside world. What you’re doing is brave, and it’s a teaching moment for all of us parents out there. Best of luck to you!”
Our congratulations to Kevin for coming out and living his life openly.
