NFL coach Kevin Maxen becomes the first male coach to come out as gay in American pro-sports, inspires others

Coming out of the closet is a deeply personal and transformative journey as an individual muster the courage to show their real self to the world. It is a significant moment of vulnerability, strength, and self-acceptance, marking a turning point in one's life as they embrace their true identity and begin living openly and honestly. Recently, Kevin Maxen, an associate strength coach with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, publicly announced his sexual orientation, aiming to lead an authentic and fearless life while inspiring others to do the same. In an exclusive interview with Outsports, he shared his desire to eliminate the need for secrecy, honesty about his relationships, and the freedom to live truthfully without fear. He said, "I want to be vocal in support of people living how they want to live, but I also want to just live and not feel fear about how people will react."

Kevin Maxen's courage has made him the first publicly out male coach in major American men's pro sports. His coming-out journey has been long, but he has experienced overwhelming support from his personal network in the past year. With love and encouragement from his family, friends, colleagues, and partner, Nick, he embraced the realization that he deserves to love and be loved openly. Sharing his story is his way of empowering others to accept their true selves and take control of their own narratives. Maxen's relationship with Nick has been a source of strength for him, as they have been together for over two years. Prior to becoming an associate strength coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kevin Maxen served as a strength coach for football teams at Baylor University and Vanderbilt University. Additionally, he gained valuable experience through internships as a strength coach at the University of Iowa and the United States Military Academy (Army). Maxen's diverse background in coaching has contributed to his expertise in the field of strength and conditioning within the realm of collegiate and professional sports.

In his role with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kevin Maxen takes charge of designing comprehensive workout plans for the offensive and defensive linemen. This involves meticulously planning exercises, weights, and recovery strategies to help the players achieve their performance goals. Furthermore, he actively accompanies the team to games, ensuring his involvement both on and off the field. While the NFL has seen a couple of publicly out female assistant coaches, such as Katie Sowers from the San Francisco 49ers, and the WNBA has Curt Miller as an out male coach, Kevin Maxen stands out as the first publicly out male coach in a prominent American men's professional sports league, as acknowledged by Outsports. His trailblazing journey sets a significant precedent, inspiring more inclusivity and diversity within the world of sports coaching. As Kevin Maxen opened up about his authentic self to former teammates, colleagues, and those within the Jaguars and NFL community, he was overwhelmed by the immense level of support he received. The positive response he encountered exceeded his expectations, further reinforcing his decision to embrace his true identity and live life openly.