An NFL Pro’s Anguished, Secret Defense Play
By: Office of Media Relations | Jan. 25, 2008
Former pro football player Esera Tuaolo will talk Wednesday Jan. 30 about life inside the NFL closet and the courage it took for him to live openly.
The free lecture, at noon in the UT Dallas Conference Center, is sponsored by the Student Union & Activities Advisory Board, the Multicultural Center and the Women’s Center. Lunch will be served.
Tuaolo was a defensive lineman for five different NFL teams and played in Super Bowl XXXIII with the Atlanta Falcons. Despite his professional success, as a gay man, he felt forced to hide his sexuality. The secret led to depression, excessive drinking and thoughts of suicide.
After retirement from professional football, Tuaolo became one of only three gay former NFL players to ever publicly acknowledge their sexuality.
His autobiography, Alone in the Trenches, recounts the tale. Tuaolo tells the story about the behind the-scenes world of professional football and what happens on the field and in the locker room.
No reservations are required for the event, and lunch is free as well.
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| Esera Tuaolo played on five NFL teams. |
Media Contact:
Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, 972-883-2155, newscenter@utdallas.edu, or the Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, newscenter@utdallas.edu.
