Kevin Maxen, an associate strength coach with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, came out as gay in an exclusive interview with Cyd Zeigler of Outsports. He is believed to be the first out gay male coach in the NFL and men’s professional sports.
“I don’t want to feel like I have to think about it anymore,” Maxen told Outsports. “I don’t want to feel like I have to lie about who I am seeing, or why I am living with someone else.”
“Kevin is a Jacksonville Jaguar through and through, and a key member of our football team and community,” team owner Shad Khan told ESPN in a statement. “I look forward to seeing Kevin next week at training camp, and hope that he comes to work each day during camp and through the season feeling confident, free, and at peace. I know our players and staff feel the same.”
Maxen told Zeigler the time felt right to come out, and acknowledged the role played by those around him in helping him embrace his identity.
“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.”
Maxen has been together with his boyfriend Nick for two years.
He said he came out partly because he didn’t want to force Nick into the closet about their relationship.
“I want the person I’m with to be able to share that with me,” Maxen continued.
Maxen told Zeigler he contacted Carl Nassib prior to coming out. Nassib became the first out player in NFL history when he came out publicly in 2021.
Before he turned to coaching, Maxen played linebacker for Western Connecticut State University. He later worked as a strength coach at Baylor and Vanderbilt prior to joining Jacksonville where he works with the offensive and defensive lines.
