CHICAGO — Members of the NFL Players Association - Chicago Chapter will march in the 2013 Pride Parade on Sunday, June 30 in Chicago, alongside former NFL player Wade Davis, to demonstrate their support for the LGBTQ community.
Former NFL Player Wade Davis
Davis, who played for the Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks, now serves as a nationally recognized speaker, activist, writer and educator, sharing his story as a closeted gay professional athlete. After retirement, Davis opened up about his sexuality and now seeks to shed positive light for LGBTQ individuals, especially within sports.
In 2012, Davis served as the LGBTQ Surrogate for President Barack Obama throughout his presidential campaign, advocating for LGBTQ rights and inclusiveness on the President's behalf. Recently, Davis launched the YOU Belong Initiative, a four-day series of comprehensive sports instruction and leadership development clinics for LGBTQ youth and allies, which will be offered throughout the U.S. quarterly within various sports. The inaugural camp will be hosted in Chicago this year from July 25 to July 28.
Hearing of his efforts, fellow former NFL players in Chicago have offered to back Davis by marching by his side during Sunday's parade.
"The NFL Players Association - Chicago Chapter is delighted to support Wade in his crusade to bring more awareness and rally support for the LGBTQ community and particularly, to those who participate in sports," said Marques Sullivan, President of the NFL Players Association - Chicago Chapter. "Sports help instill character traits such as self-respect, discipline, accountability, and responsibility in people, especially at an early age. Participation in sports shouldn't be denied to anyone, no matter the individual's sexual preference, race, gender or religion."
The Pride Parade is set to begin at noon on Sunday, routing from Broadway and Montrose to Diversey and Cannon Drive. For more information regarding the parade, visit www.chicagopridecalendar.org .
About The NFL Players Association - Chicago Chapter
The NFL Players Association - Chicago Chapter is one of 37 former NFL player chapters in the nation. The primary function of the organization is to help raise funds through the chapter's 501c3 establishment, the Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago, to benefit and support the Chicagoland youth educationally and athletically. In 2012, the Chicago chapter was voted "Chapter of the Year" for its outstanding work in the community. For more information, please visit www.rpfpc.com .
About The Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago
Founded in 1985 to principally support a former professional player's second career or life after football, the Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago is a not-for-profit service organization of former professional football players who work voluntarily to support area youth and charities. For more information, please visit www.rpfpc.com .
