Byron Perkins makes history as first openly gay HBCU football player

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Byron Perkins, a defensive back who plays Division I football at Hampton University in Virginia, came out as gay on Instagram this week. With his announcement, Perkins is the first openly gay football player at a Historically Black College or University.

Byron Perkins on being the first openly gay HBCU football player

“I have come to understand that life is precious and I could be gone at any moment, therefore, I will no longer be living a lie,” Perkins posted to Instagram. “No one should have to live a life crippled by what society thinks.”

Perkins is a 6’3” redshirt junior from Chicago, Ill. The transfer from Purdue University has appeared in a total of 11 games over two seasons at Hampton. The Hampton Pirates have a record of 4-2 this season in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).

In an exclusive interview with OutSports, Perkins said he came out in part to set an example for other Black gay male athletes who are suffering in the closet.

“Especially at an HBCU, young Black gay men need an outlet,” Perkins told Zeigler of OutSports. “They need a support system. There hasn’t been an out gay football athlete at an HBCU. I want to end the stigma of what people think. I want people to know they can be themselves.”

Perkins opened up with the outlet, sharing the challenges of being in the closet and how keeping his sexual identity private had hindered his growth as a person.

“I’ve been self-reflective and trying to prioritize what makes me happy and makes me feel alive,” Perkins told OutSports. “I thought it could be just football and school, but there was a component missing. And recently I’ve been able to figure out that I haven’t been fully happy because everyone didn’t know who I was. Authenticity is everything to me.”

He is proving gay men can play football as well.

About Hampton University

Hampton University was founded in 1868 as Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School for freed Black men following the U.S. Civil War. The research university in Hampton, VA is renowned for its museum, which is not only the oldest museum in Virginia but it’s also the oldest African American museum in the U.S.