Arizona Cardinals pick Trey McBride is the first NFL player with same-sex parents

Published: Thursday, May 5, 2022 - 11:38am
Updated: Thursday, May 5, 2022 - 11:39am

Last week, the Arizona Cardinals drafted Colorado State tight end Trey McBride in the second round despite having two two quality tight ends under contract. The reason: Cardinals management felt McBride was too good of a talent to pass up.

But his pick is significant in other ways.

Trey McBride is now the first NFL player with same-sex parents. So why is this news?

Nate Rhoton, the CEO of One-n-Ten, an LGBTQ youth advocacy group, said: "I think it's still really important because the NFL and professional athletics have for a long time not really been an inclusive place for LGBTQ people."

"Now, we've seen a lot of advancements there. But it's still there's still some stigma there. And so I think the fact that Trey McBride's parents are both women — LGBTQ — and had this amazing, wonderful loving family together, I think it's news because it sends a message that this is now something that's OK in the NFL," Rhoton said.

And with the Cardinals who, Rhoton says, have long supported LGBTQ youth in Arizona. 

Gender Social Justice