Kopay
donates $1 million to alma matter

The first former NFL player to come out as gay has pledged $1 million to his alma mater's LGBT center. David Kopay's gift to the University of Washington's Q Center will be an endowment to support activities and programs.

"I continually hear from people all over the world that my act of coming out--especially when I did in 1975--has empowered them in their search for self and to see their vision," Kopay said in a statement. "Hopefully, my million-dollar pledge will influence others to support the university and the Q Center to continue to help others to do just that."

Kopay attended the school from 1961 to 1964 and was an all-American running back his senior year, leading the team to the 1964 Rose Bowl. During his eight-year professional career, Kopay played for the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and Green Bay Packers. In 1975 he acknowledged that he was gay in an interview with the Washington Star, three years after retiring from the NFL. His autobiography, The David Kopay Story, was a New York Times best seller in 1977. (The Advocate)