Federation of Gay Games

After his college career at the University of Washington, Dave had a 10-year career in the National Football League as a running back and special teams member for the San Francisco Forty-Niners, Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and Green Bay Packers ... In 1975, he became an LGBT icon with a closet-busting interview in the Washington Star ... He was the first athlete to come out in a major professional sport ... He co-authored "The Dave Kopay Story" in 1977 with Perry Deane Young, a book that topped the New York Times bestseller list for weeks and recently had a fifth printing ... Dave is an active spokesperson against homophobia in all levels of sports and in society, giving frequent print, radio and television interviews ... At the 1994 Gay Games IV in New York City, Dave served as a judge in the physique competition and presented the Athletes' Oath at the Opening Ceremony ... In April 2006 he attended the 100 Champions event in Chicago to support Gay Games VII and joined us at the Games that July making special appearances throughout the week ... Dave made headlines again in early September 2007 with his pledge of USD$1 million to the University of Washington Q Center, a support, advocacy and mentoring center for LGBT students ... The University of Washington saluted him at one of its 2007 home football games as a Husky Legend, a remarkable sign of public social change that many dreamed to see when Dave made his historic decision to come out in the mid-1970s ...

In conjunction with the Gay Games' 25th anniversary celebration, the Federation honored Dave with its Hero Award — Dave's brave step as the first professional athlete in the world to come out has inspired countless people from all walks of life and, indeed, continues to do so.

Quotable: "When I came out 30 years ago, the idea of something called 'gay and lesbian' sports was unimaginable. The Gay Games is directly responsible for inspiring people to stay or become active in sports, encouraging them not to let homophobia get in the way of expressing their love and enjoyment of athletic competitions. I'm excited and committed to helping the Federation of Gay Games promote its goals of 'Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best' because I've seen first-hand how the Gay Games experience changes lives."

"Gay Games," "Federation of Gay Games," and the interlocking circles device are trademarks of the Federation of Gay Games, Inc.
Trademarks are registered in the USA, Canada, Benelux, the UK, and Australia.
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