KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Openly Gay UA Football Recruit From Tempe Makes History

The University of Arizona has signed a Tempe recruit to its football team, and he is making news not just for his play, but because he is also the first full scholarship openly gay football player in major-college football history.

Star player My-King Johnson originally verbally committed to rival UCLA before signing with Arizona.

He came out when he was 12 and said he just believes in being open and honest. During the recruitment process, he told assistant Coach Vincent Amey he was gay, and according to the Arizona Daily Star, the coach replied "we want you to be a Wildcat."

Former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam announced he was gay in February 2014, about a month after completing his college career.

Naomi Gingold was a host at KJZZ from 2016 to 2017.