Former NFL Player Kwame Harris Confirms He's Gay

Former San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Kwame Harris confirmed he's gay in an interview with CNN.

While the NFL has yet to have a current openly gay player, Harris wishes he had been more open about his sexuality while still playing.

"I want people, whether gay athletes, athletes still in the closet, or youths who are not sure what their sexuality is to know those are common feelings," Harris said. "Don't feel alone in having them."

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The former athlete went on to encourage other athletes to be themselves, but understood how hard it can be in a locker room. "You want to escape the despair and turmoil, and your mind goes to dark places," he continued. "I'm happy today, and I'm glad they were just ideas and I didn't act on any of them."The cost was great [to] not speak candidly ... open about myself in complete manner. If I could have done it different, I would have hoped I found the strength."