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In the days before the Super Bowl, a story emerged that former NFL player Kwame Harris had been involved in a domestic dispute with his former boyfriend. At that time, Harris had never publicly acknowledged that he’s gay.

Now he has.

Harris said on CNN this morning that he hopes his own experience will serve as a valuable example to other gay athletes.

“I want people, whether gay athletes, athletes still in the closet, or youths who are not sure what their sexuality is to know those are common feelings,” Harris said, via USA Today. “Don’t feel alone in having them.”

Harris said he now wishes he would have come out during his playing career.

“If I could have done it differently, I would have hoped I found the strength [to come out],” he said.

Harris now joins a small group of former NFL players who have come out as openly gay, a group that includes Roy Simmons, Wade Davis, Esera Tuaolo and Dave Kopay. The NFL has never had an openly gay active player.