Arizona State offensive lineman Chip Sarafin announces he is gay

Arizona State offensive lineman Chip Sarafin, a fifth-year senior who has yet to play in a game, revealed that he is gay in the August edition of Phoenix-based Compete magazine.

Sarafin said he disclosed his sexual orientation to teammates last spring and was inspired to go public now by Michael Sam, the former Missouri star recently drafted by the St. Louis Rams.

Sam, the Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year in 2013, publicly declared that he was gay in February.

Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL, responded to Sarafin’s announcement with a tweet: “Congratulations Chip Sarafin for having the courage to be yourself. Wishing you and your teammates much success this season #courage2014.”

Sarafin, listed at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds in the Arizona State media guide, is a scout-team player who graduated last spring with a degree in biomedical engineering. He is currently working on his master’s degree in the same field with dreams of becoming a neurologist.

He is a graduate of Highland High School in Gilbert, Ariz.

Sarafin told Compete that his decision to come out to his teammates was “really personal to me and it benefited my peace of mind greatly.”

Arizona State Coach Todd Graham issued a statement in support of Sarafin’s announcement:

“We are a brotherhood that is not defined by cultural and personal differences,” Graham said. “... Diversity and acceptance are two of the pillars of our program, and he has full support from his teammates and the coaching staff.”

News of Sarafin’s announcement was posted on the Pac-12’s website.