![\"Ryan](\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.towleroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/callaghan.jpeg?resize=740%2C388\")
<\/p>\nFormer NFL Lineman Ryan O\u2019Callaghan Comes Out as Gay: WATCH<\/b><\/p>\n
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Ryan O\u2019Callaghan, who played five seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, came out of the closet today in an interview with Outsports\u2019 Cyd Zeigler<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the lengthy interview, O\u2019Callaghan, who says he\u2019s very happy now, talks of his plans to kill himself after football because of his loneliness in the closet, a loneliness that led him to drug abuse.<\/p>\n Said O\u2019Callaghan:\u00a0\u201cI was abusing painkillers, no question. It helped with the pain of the injuries, and with the pain of being gay<\/a>. I just didn\u2019t worry about being gay<\/a> when I took the Vicodin. I just didn\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/p>\n He added:\u00a0\u201cAs long as there are people killing themselves because they are gay<\/a>, there is a reason for people like me to share my story and try to help. People need to understand that we are everywhere. We\u2019re your sons, your daughters, your teammates, your neighbors. And honestly, even some of your husbands and wives. You just don\u2019t know it yet\u2026It\u2019s not always easy being honest, but I can tell you it\u2019s much easier and more enjoyable being yourself and not living a lie.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch an interview with Zeigler accompanying the print article:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The post Former NFL Lineman Ryan O\u2019Callaghan Comes Out as Gay: WATCH<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n