According to Mike Freeman at CBS Sports, the day when an openly gay athlete will join the National Football League — or when a current player will publicly come out — may be closer than you think.

After conducting a series of interviews with NFL insiders, Freeman reports:

I’m told that a current gay NFL player is strongly considering coming out publicly within the next few months — and after doing so, the player would attempt to continue his career.

I’m told this player feels the time is now for someone to take this step — despitehomophobic remarks from San Francisco 49ers defensive back Chris Culliver and thecontroversy arising recently at the Indianapolis Scouting combine, when prospects were asked questions about their sexuality.

This player’s true concern, I’m told, is not the reaction inside an NFL locker room but outside of it. The player fears he will suffer serious harm from homophobic fans, and that is the only thing preventing him from coming out. My sources will not say who this alleged player is.

As Freeman notes, there has never been an openly gay member of a major American team.

“I honestly think the players of the NFL have been ready for an openly gay player for quite some time now,” Scott Fujita, a linebacker who has played for various teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns, told CBS.

Adding that, despite recent anti-gay comments from San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver and allegations that NFL officials are vetting prospective players for their sexuality, the league is ready for an openly gay player.

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