WASHINGTON (TND) — An associate strength coach with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars recently came out as gay in hopes to inspire others to live their truth.

Kevin Maxen told Outsports he wants "to be vocal in support of people living how they want to live."

He is the first male coach in a major U.S.-based professional league to come out as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

While it is a first for a coach to come out, multiple NFL players have made their sexual orientation public.

Michael Sam was the first openly gay player to be drafted when he was selected by the then-St. Louis Rams in 2014.

In 2021, Carl Nassib became the first active NFL player to come out publicly.

A couple of female assistant coaches in the NFL have been publicly out including former San Francisco 49ers assistant coach Katie Sowers.

Maxen said in the last year he has found more confidence thanks to those who have risen up around him and shown support.

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," he told Outsports.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan said Maxen is a key part of the football team and hopes he comes to work feeling free and at peace.

“Kevin is a Jacksonville Jaguar through and through, and a key member of our football team and community,” Khan told ESPN. “I look forward to seeing Kevin next week at training camp, and hope that he comes to work each day during camp and through the season feeling confident, free and at peace.”

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