Jaguars strength coach Kevin Maxen comes out as gay

Saying he no longer wanted "to feel like I have to lie" about who he is, Jacksonville Jaguars associate strength coach Kevin Maxen came out publicly as gay on Thursday.

He is believed to be the first male coach in a major American pro sport to come out.

Maxen said in an interview published on the Outsports website, "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 with the Jaguars since 2021. He previously was a strength coach in the collegiate ranks at Baylor and Vanderbilt, and played linebacker at Division III Western Connecticut State.

He said he struggled to deal with his sexuality in college but has been with his boyfriend for two years and wanted to be able to introduce him in the same way that others in the Jaguars organization do with their families.

"I don't want to feel like I have to think about it anymore," Maxen said. "I don't want to feel like I have to lie about who I am seeing or why I am living with someone else."

Marcus Pollard, Jacksonville's director of player development, told Outsports it is "a privilege to work alongside Kevin, who is hardworking, dedicated and thriving as a strength and conditioning coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars."

Multiple female coaches in the NFL have come out a gay, according to numerous media reports. The first was Katie Sowers, when she was an offensive assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers.