Tuesday, July 20, 2021
“Couldn’t be happier”
First NHL professional has come out
NFL professional Carl Nassib came out less than a month ago, and now an ice hockey professional is following suit: Luke Prokop is making his homosexuality public. The 19-year-old gets a lot of encouragement from his club and the league.
Luke Prokop highlighted his message with the rainbow flag and wrote: “I couldn’t be happier.” As the first hockey player under contract in the US professional league NHL, the 19-year-old made his homosexuality public. “Today I’m proud to publicly tell everyone I’m gay,” wrote the Nashville Predators attorney. Less than a month ago, professional footballer Carl Nassib from the Las Vegas Raiders had his highly acclaimed coming-out in professional sport in the USA.
“It was a long journey to get to this point in my life. I’m no longer afraid to show who I am,” wrote Prokop on his Instagram channel. “I dreamed of being an NHL player from a young age and I believe living an authentic life allows me to improve my chances so that my dreams can come true.”
So far there has not been a player in the history of the NHL who has made his homosexuality public – regardless of whether he is still active or has already ended his career. Prokop was selected by the Predators in the 2020 draft in the third round and defended in the juniors in the Western Hockey League with the Calgary Hitmen in the preseason. He made his decision in April after his season had been canceled due to corona, he wrote.
He received encouragement from both NHL boss Gary Bettman and his club. In a statement, Club President Sean Henry announced: “The organization is proud of the courage he is showing by coming out. We will support him in the coming days, weeks and years as he develops. One of our goals Organization is equality for all, including the LGBTQ community. It is important that Luke is comfortable as he progresses in his career. “
Bettman congratulated on this move on the phone: “Anyone who has anything to do with the NHL, whether in the office, as a coach or as a player – we want to say to everyone: No matter who you are – you all have a place in ours Family, “said Bettman:” I told him that his step was brave – and I gave him my number. Whenever he has problems or worries, he should be happy to get in touch. “
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