In a move destined to be remembered as a turning point for social equality, local homosexual Micah Stephens courageously revealed to the public that he is, and always has been, a passionate fan of professional American football, becoming the first openly NFL fan within the gay community.

“It’s time that I finally accept and embrace who I am as a person,” Stephens stated to a swarming crowd of reporters and bystanders. “I’ve kept this a secret for so long out of fear of ostracization, but that ends right now. I, Micah Stephens, am proudly a fan of the NFL.”

The official statement drew audible gasps from the bewildered crowd, as the idea of a gay NFL fan was almost unheard of before Stephens came out of the locker room.

“I understand this may come as a shock to many of you. I denied these feelings for many years. I began secretly watching Broncos games in the seventh grade, afraid of what my two fathers would think, as well as my boyfriends. I thought it was just a phase and that I would grow out of it, but I didn’t.”

Stephens’ road to openly enjoying football proved to be both long and arduous, however he believes it only made him that much more of a fan.

“I’m no longer ashamed to say that I am in love with Tom Brady’s passing game, or that I get a tingling feeling all over when I see the Seahawks defense at the top of their game. This is who I am.”

Some have questioned whether the gay community is ready for an NFL fan, to which Stephens himself is unsure of.

“Some say it will happen soon, but a lot of other people say the gay community will never be ready for an NFL fan,” Stephens elaborated to reporters. “But that won’t stop me from fighting for my cause.  This may sound like a pipe dream, but I believe in a future where professional sports and homosexuality aren’t mutually exclusive.”