Teen Makes History As High School’s First Transgender Football Player

“Everybody was so accepting, it’s amazing.”

by Danielle Sinay

Okay, we love this week. Gender-fluid is officially a word, it’s Bisexuality Awareness Week, and now, an incredible Canadian teen is making history as his high school’s first openly transgender football player.

17-year-old Kennedy Cooley recently transferred high schools, hoping to join a “more accepting” community. And luckily, he did! Because once he joined the football team, he wasn’t greeted by judgment like he initially feared, but by open arms and acceptance from the family-like football team.

“I’d heard that a lot of the guys are like family. They really get along together, they all know each other, and they’re really close friends,” he said. “Everybody was so accepting, it’s amazing.”

The team coach told CTV News that Cooley “seems to get along with everybody,” and is providing his teammates with “a perspective that they probably would not have had before.” 

We’re so glad that Kennedy is not only proud of his identity, but that his newfound friends, peers and teammates are, too! Good luck on your football season this year, Kennedy, and thanks for being so brave.

Check out Kennedy’s full story here: