Roy Simmons

Roy Franklin Simmons (born November 8, 1956 in Savannah, Georgia) is an American football player who played for the National Football League. He played offensive lineman for the New York Giants and then with the Washington Redskins during Super Bowl XVIII in 1984. In 1992, he came out of the closet as gay on the Phil Donahue Show]. In his autobiography, Out of Bounds (written with Damon DiMarco), he speaks of drug addiction, prostitution, and promiscuity. Around 1997, he learned that he was HIV-positive.

Only two other members of the NFL have ever admitted their homosexuality: David Kopay and Esera Tuaolo.

References/External links

 * Roy Simmons' personal website regarding his book "Out of Bounds"
 * Roy Simmons at Outsports
 * Roy Simmons at ESPN's The brief history of gay athletes.
 * The Washington Blade
 * Roy Simmons on The 700 Club