For a professional athlete, sitting on the sidelines—unable to have an impact—can often be the most frustrating place to be. This is why Khalen Saunders, a defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints, is all about taking action, both on the field and in his personal life. Saunders isn’t content with just being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community; his mantra is “actions speak louder than words.” In a groundbreaking move, he is organizing a youth football camp specifically for LGBTQ+ children, marking the first of its kind.
The camp is set to take place in Saunders’ hometown of St. Louis on July 5. Joining him will be his older brother, Kameron, a dancer and choreographer who has been featured on Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour.” Kameron, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, has been a significant influence on Saunders’ journey towards inclusivity. “My intention with this camp is to unify everybody and just promote positivity and empathy amongst others,” Saunders told CNN Sports. “I want anybody who has a brother or family member in general that comes to their sporting events to feel safe and welcomed.”
Building a Safe Space in Sports
Saunders was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs out of Western Illinois in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. During his tenure with the Chiefs, he won two Super Bowl rings before signing with the Saints in 2023. The youngest of four brothers, Saunders credits his elder siblings, particularly Kameron, with teaching him empathy and acceptance. “I learned very quickly from Kameron to be accepting of people,” Saunders said. This empathy is a core principle he hopes to instill in the participants of his camp.
The camp is part of Saunders’ “Original Element Foundation” and is the first to be directly advertised to the LGBTQ+ community. Saunders aims to create an environment where youths can discover their love for football and spend time with like-minded individuals. He hopes to dismantle the stigma surrounding LGBTQ+ participation in sports, a challenge highlighted by a recent Gallup Poll indicating that 9.3% of American adults identify as LGBTQ+, an increase from previous years.
Confronting Toxic Cultures
According to a report by The Trevor Project, many LGBTQ+ youth opt out of sports due to discrimination or fear of discrimination. Saunders acknowledges the “very toxic heterosexual climates” he has encountered in football locker rooms, attributing them to ignorance. He recalls hearing anti-homosexual slurs in NFL environments, often from individuals unaware of how offensive their words can be. Saunders is committed to changing these toxic cultures and credits many of his teammates with becoming more accepting over time.
Despite the challenges, Saunders remains optimistic. “If you’re trying to be more open-minded, then that’s all you need to do,” he said. For Saunders, “ability is ability,” and he hopes his camp will foster this mindset. “If you run a 4.5 second or less 40-yard dash, you’re fast. If you jump a 35-inch vertical or higher, you jump high,” he stated. “The space within sports for LGBTQ+ members is very limited, and I understand that, which is why I’m trying to hold this camp and promote positivity.”
Mixed Reactions and Moving Forward
Saunders has received a range of feedback following the camp’s announcement, from enthusiastic support to stark opposition. Some messages express gratitude from youths who feel they finally have a place to play football comfortably, while others wish such initiatives had existed when they were younger. However, Saunders has also faced criticism, with comments like “youth and LGBTQ+ shouldn’t be in the same sentence.”
He attributes such negativity to a lack of understanding. “This is not an attempt to sway any child to be of any sexual orientation or gender identification,” he clarified. “This is just teaching children to be accepting of those who are.” Saunders believes much of this ignorance stems from “learned traits and learned behaviors,” which he aims to address through education and dialogue.
Looking ahead, Saunders hopes to engage directly with critics to explain why an open mind is crucial for a better society. “Let’s break that cycle and educate our children,” he urged. “This is an opportunity to showcase the thinking pattern I have, just as far as being empathetic and treating people how you want to be treated.”
Through his camp and the influence of his brother Kameron, Saunders aims to reinforce the importance of acceptance for a more progressive society. “It’s just showing acceptance and really just doing all of this for the love of the sport itself,” he concluded.
