The Out Year in Sports So Far Is Truly Inspiring

A closeted soccer player in Germany made headlines when he wrote an anonymous column about why he's afraid to come out publicly. But others this year have boldly stood up, with the latest a boxing star.

BY Lucas Grindley

October 04 2012 3:57 PM ET

Megan Rapinoe celebrates a goal during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Megan Rapinoe
The gold medal–winning U.S. Olympic soccer player first said she is a lesbian during an interview with Out magazine in July, then the star was quickly profiled in numerous places. She is also a midfielder for the Seattle Sounders Women. “I feel everyone is really craving [for] people to come out. People want — they need — to see that there are people like me playing soccer for the good ol’ U.S. of A.”