Legendary former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin is one of two alternative covers of OUT's new sports "straight ally" issue. Rugby phenom, gay pin-up fave and anti-bullying advocate Ben Cohen is the second cover.
Irvin offers his support of gay rights and same-sex marriage, which he has previously spoken out on before. The Pro Football Hall of Fame star also shares the previously untold story of discovering that his older brother Vaughn was gay. Irvin saw him walking down the street in women's clothes one day while driving with his father.
The discovery made Irvin insecure about his own sexuality:
Irvin couldn’t believe his eyes. He turned to his father. "My dad looked back at me and said, ‘Yes, that’s your brother. And you love your brother.'" That was it. Irvin, who went on to become one of football’s greatest players, as well as the epitome of the troublemaking macho NFL stereotype, would never again discuss the issue with his father. [..]
Walter Irvin’s message was simple: Michael was supposed to love his brother unconditionally, no matter what he looked like or who he was. But, still, the discovery was a shock that haunted Irvin as he grew into one of college football’s most feted stars. He worried that people would find out about Vaughn and bring shame upon the family. Most of all, he worried that he was gay.
On a side note: Irvin says mega-church Pastor T.D. Jakes has helped him deal with his "personal demons" and discuss his brother publicly. You may recall that Jakes' son was outed and arrested two years ago in a public park. Jakes has generally avoided publicly criticizing gays since then ...
The article was written by Outsports editor Cyd Ziegler, who offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on the interview, as well as Irvin's sporno-rific cover and fashion editorial by Roger Erickson.
When Michael walked into the stylist’s realm at the shoot he quickly ripped off his shirt, dropped his pants and went right for an old vintage leather football helmet and shoulder pads. Once the camera was turned on him he tightened his abs and pulled his pants down to show the top of his boxer-briefs. Feeling protective of Michael I pulled him aside and assured him he didn’t have to do anything he didn’t want to do. "This is what I want," Michael said. "Let’s get people talking about this issue.”
The other profiles include fellow cover star Ben Cohen; rugby hotness Nick Youngquest, who engaged in a Twitter bromance with Gareth Thomas; and straight ally and wrestler Hudson Taylor.
Irvin strikes a pose AFTER THE JUMP ...
See the slideshow and articles at OUT ....
Wow. Outstanding Rod. Hats off to Michael Irvin.
Posted by: LP | 12 July 2011 at 18:39
I'm really proud of him but after reading some of the things on twitter I think society still has a long way to go, but kudos to him.
Posted by: cullen | 12 July 2011 at 18:43
That pic of Irvin below the fold is HOT! (and I'm not a Micael Irvin or a Cowboy fan...)
Posted by: Chitown Kev | 12 July 2011 at 18:57
And yet another giant leap for mankind! Also Black Enterprise has its gay cover too. What in the world is going on? Are humans being considerate and understand and evolving right before my very eyes?
Posted by: kirk | 12 July 2011 at 19:08
Glad to hear this coming from Michael Irvin...BTW, I did not know that he looked like that under his clothes...
Posted by: butchie | 12 July 2011 at 20:02
Please God, let my home issue be this one and not Ben Cohen ;-)
Posted by: Christopher Smith | 12 July 2011 at 20:11
I would have loved to see a video of that photoshoot - When Michael walked into the stylist’s realm at the shoot he quickly ripped off his shirt, dropped his pants and went right for an old vintage leather football helmet and shoulder pads. Once the camera was turned on him he tightened his abs and pulled his pants down to show the top of his boxer-briefs.
Way to go Michael!
Posted by: me.yahoo.com/a/TK9195Ajh8i6LsFxedvHsonN2J7o | 12 July 2011 at 21:55
irvin gave a very heartfelt interview. and those pictures are hot!
Posted by: Eugene | 12 July 2011 at 23:22
Good for him. I may actually buy that magazine for the first time since they FINALLY have someone on the cover of interest (lol)
Posted by: jewels | 13 July 2011 at 03:17
Way to go, Mike!
Posted by: Marcel | 13 July 2011 at 07:46
that is one hunk of chocolate that is mad sexcy, did u see his arse?? he got a juicy one. this makes me like him all the more . . . .
Posted by: hhj1970 | 13 July 2011 at 10:57
Yes way to go Mike! We need more people like you and Ben!
Posted by: Mike | 13 July 2011 at 11:50
@ hh..where is the arse shot???
Posted by: DFS | 13 July 2011 at 15:41
Nice of him
Posted by: thegayte-keeper | 13 July 2011 at 17:04
Always thought he was a jerk ... But people will surprise you when they open up and let others see all sides of them. I applaud him with standing ovation and his guts for serving up MAN FIERCENESS attitude on that cover ...lol ...love it, love it. Can more str8t brothas take a stand and support or at least offer more open tolerance for their gay/bi brothas? ... Can we start a revolution? Can we?
Posted by: Bernie B | 13 July 2011 at 17:23
Good article. I wonder if he and his brother Vaughn favored each other?
Posted by: Honut Sinti | 13 July 2011 at 17:43
I have always found him hot. The way he used to fill out that Dallas Cowboys uniform made me swoon. But the best part of him are those lips!He was very intense in many interviews when he was a player. I just could not take my eyes off those lips when he was speaking.
Posted by: shan | 13 July 2011 at 21:49
Well, as a diehard Eagles fan it's hard for me to say this...but, I love you Michael. Oh, Gawd, help me I'm about to throw up.
And at 45 years old, Mr Irvin--you look marvelous!
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 14 July 2011 at 07:43
Great for Irvin.
I think he's deliciously hot with this perfect, dark skin and to-die-for lips, but does OUT really need to put every person interviewed into get-ups and poses as to entice us gays sexually?
I mean, obviously I like it, but it kind of distracts from the seriousness of the topic - straight guys who are standing up for gays.
Posted by: D-Nice | 14 July 2011 at 23:32
I don't disagree with you D-nice but in a way I think it's shows that they are straight men who are comfortable enough with their sexuality to the point that they have no problem with being seen as a sex symbol for gay men. A lot of straight men pose for calenders and various other magazines and act like the core of those audiences are women but realistically it's gay men and we don't get nary a mention. And personally I don't think it distracts from it I just think it ads to it.
Posted by: cullen | 15 July 2011 at 02:31
I received the magazine, read the article and thought it was very nice. I am very proud that Michael found the courage to deal with his feelings: accept his brother and support those of us black gay men in the community! "We are who we are"...accept,love, & support us...for simply being us!
Posted by: Dannie | 18 July 2011 at 14:45