Articles

This page shares my best articles to read on topics like LGBTQ+ advocacy, Equality, poetry, sports, healing from trauma, and more. The central question that drives my work is, “How do we grow as people and as a society?” To answer that question, I like to write about my personal experiences and my unique perspective.

Ready to read away? The articles are separated by publictaion.

---

The New York Times

• Jon Gruden’s Emails Shocked Me. They Shouldn’t Have.

ESPN

• No distractions: An NFL veteran opens up on his sexuality

The Guardian

• Trans kids deserve the same opportunity that made my NFL career possible
• Luke Prokop’s choice to live an open and authentic life marks a new normal in sport
• The main lesson I was given as a college football star? Sports trump academics
• The first NFL playoff game with an active LGBTQ+ player is an important milestone
• Flores reminded us the NFL values Black players for our bodies, not our minds
• NFL players like me are cheered when we come out … and are soon unemployed

Out Sports

• Out NFL player R.K. Russell shares poems about the killings of 3 Black men

Fatherly

• I’m an NFL Defensive End and a Poet. This Is What Growing Up With a Single Mom Looks Like.

The Los Angeles Times

• L.A. transformed my relationship with football — and with myself

OUT

• Dear NFL: If You Want to Be LGBTQ+ Allies, Hire Out Players

Queer Majority

• Coming Out To Play
• The In-Between: The Poet and The Athlete
• Excellence Ain’t Equal
• Tributes
• The In-Between: Black Love and Interracial Dating
• Too Black To Be Queer

TWLOHA

• NFL Player R.K. Russell Tackles Mental Health Through Poetry

Elephant Journal

• 62 Words to help us Sit with the Heavy Stuff.
• How I know You & I will Fall in Love.