R.K. RUSSELL
In 2019, NFL’s R.K. Russell expanded his courage off the field when he revealed he was bisexual. After spending years on the gridiron, Russell wrote about his experience as a Black queer man for many publications and his memoir, The Yards Between Us (Andscape Books). Today the retired footballer has gone on to be an advocate for social justice. He hopes his story can help encourage others to be courageous and brave by providing a sense of resilience to find their own power. Up next: Actress and producer Gabrielle Union has acquired his memoir and it will be adapted into a half-hour comedy for Sony Pictures TV. —K.M.