Willamette football player comes out as bisexual
After years of feeling somewhat alone in the world, Conner Mertens, a 19-year-old red-shirt freshman kicker for Willamette (Ore.) University football team, finally has found some peace.
Last week, the student-athlete told his coach, Glen Fowles, that he is bisexual, that he has a boyfriend — and on Monday he announced it to the rest of the world in the name of helping and inspiring other LGBT athletes, students, and people like him.
"Hi, I'm Conner," he said as he sat down with a big smile on his face, his teammates and coach on either side of him, and he dug into the issue with confidence.
"I want to end stereotypes and stigmas that go along with what it means to like the same sex or be attracted to the same sex," said Mertens at the small press conference held Tuesday at Sparks Athletic Center at Willamette University.
On Monday, Mertens was in the Willamette University men's locker room with his teammates and coaches, who had gathered to discuss his announcement. Mertens typed out a letter and handed out copies for everyone to read. Wade Davis, a former NFL player, also was present to talk with the team. The team's reaction was a positive one.
Jack Nelson, a junior inside linebacker for Willamette as well as Mertens' teammate, said it wasn't a big deal to the team.
"We care about Conner as an individual, and that's just a part of him," said Nelson. "We're going to support him in that fashion, but we're also we care about him as a player.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/01/29/willamette-kicker-conner-mertens-college-football-player-gay-bisexual/5026673/