Linebacker Brendon Ayandadejo says that up to four current NFL players could come out as gay in the near future, according to the Baltimore Sun.
"I think it will happen sooner than you think," he said. "We're in talks with a handful of players who are considering it. There are up to four players being talked to right now and they're trying to be organized so they can come out on the same day together. It would make a major splash and take the pressure off one guy. It would be a monumental day if a handful or a few guys come out.
Ayabandejo has been a strong and public supporter of gay rights. He was recently released from the Baltimore Ravens after making the Pro Bowl for his outstanding performance on special teams. According to ESPN, Ayanbadejo had 14 tackles on specials teams in addition to a sack, and a career-high 30 tackles.
According to a report from Newsday, Ayanbadejo said he believed the Ravens let him go for his public stance on gay rights. However, he later tweeted he was misquoted.
"Haven't read article that was published. I will be all over the news this week setting it straight!Don't believe EVERYTHING u read."
"The Ravens have been backing me, they knew my stance for years and have been facilitating me and organizing me with LGBT and set me up with Equality Maryland. They helped me," he told the Baltimore Sun.
Ravens senior vice president of public and community relations Kevin Byrne explained the Raven's decision to the Sun.
"We're surprised that he would indicate this. We have always been respectful of Brendon's opinions and his right to express those," he said. "Our decision regarding his departure from the team has everything to do with football. Nothing else."
Ayanbadejo is confident the players who could come out will go through with it. However, he knows that any announcement will not go over smoothly.
"Of course, there would be backlash. If they could share the backlash, it would be more positive,"he said. "It's cool. It's exciting. We're in talks with a few guys who are considering it. The NFL and organizations are already being proactive and open if a player does it and if something negative happens. We'll see what happens."
