Transgender model Mia Isabella, who was involved in the reputed Tyga and Kylie Jenner cheating scandal, said she and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick were once in a romantic relationship.

Isabella originally remained quiet about her love for Kaepernick to “protect” him. “I loved him very much and he cared for me greatly, but in order to protect his brand I made him walk away from me,” she told International Business Times via email Monday. “Knowing the persecution he would face because I’m a Trans woman.” They have not spoken since late September, she added.

Isabella, 30, first spoke about the past relationship Saturday. “If I’m honest I have not been very good to my own heart. I’ve burdened her with heavy truths too great for it to bear. Today I tell the truth,” she tweeted. “During the @Tyga scandal someone outed my connection w @Kaepernick7 to discriminate against and persecute us because I’m a Trans woman.

“There is nothing wrong with loving a Trans woman,” Isabella continued. “It was my heart and soul he loved it wasn’t because of my sexuality. I have to thank @MichaelSamNFL my publicist @misslainie and my grandmother for holding the truths I told them. It hurt me to lose our bond,” she said about Kaepernick, 28.

Isabella finished: “The persecution of Trans women and Trans attracted men is REAL! But I thank him for being there for me when I almost gave up he saved my life.”

Neither Kaepernick nor his girlfriend, Hot 97 host and “Girl Code” star Nessa Diab, have responded to Isabella’s claim. When asked for further comment, Isabella did not reply.

Kaepernick, who reportedly wants to be traded to the New York Jets, and Diab , who works in New York City, were focused on Super Bowl 50 Sunday. While Diab made fun of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, Kaepernick sent congratulations to some of the Denver Broncos players.

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