Even though David Kopay and Ian Roberts live on different sides of the Pacific Ocean and the world of sports, they both took the plunge when they came out. Here are the highlights:

• The first who came out was Kopay, 78-year-old former NFL running back. He did so after his career in 1975.
• In 1995, Roberts was the first high-profile Australian sports person and first professional rugby player to come out as gay.
• Even 45 years later, both men are disappointed at the backlash and the amount of gay athletes that haven’t admitted to it.
• Kopay said it’s ignorance and their insecurities of putting down people that are different that’s a tragedy.
• Also, he said it’s a horrible thing that kids are getting targeted and called homophobic slurs.
• Roberts said that he wishes he did it sooner instead of trying to hide behind a facade.
• He said once he openly admitted he was gay he felt empowered and received positive feedback from people.
• Kopay thought him admitting he was gay 45 years ago would make it easier for athletes to be more open about their sexuality.
• He said it just doesn’t make sense that’s there gay marriage but no openly gay athletes in the NFL. However, he still has hope that as time goes by more and more athletes will come out.