New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders took the stage at the 36th annual GLAAD Media Awards and announced that he will host a LBGTQ-friendly football combine and day of play this summer.
Saunders also dropped by "Good Morning Football" on NFL Network and said being an ally is about more than words, but rather actions. He previously spoke at the NFL Pride Clinic hosted during the week of Super Bowl LIX.
The Saints defender said that the NFL and football being dominated by males and heterosexuals can cause it to feel like football is not for everyone.
"These are people who feel like they have to be hidden, although they might love the sport, they might love the NFL, they might love football in general as a sport, but they kind of shy away from it just because of orientations, or all these other kind of outside things," he said.
Saunders announced the camp at the awards on stage on March 27, 2025, while joined by RK Russell, an out bisexual athlete who previously played defensive end in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Saunders said showcasing inclusivity that football can help create is one of the pillars of his Original Element foundation and is the goal he seeks to help fulfill with this camp.
"That's my goal to continue to spread positive energy around that because football is for everybody," Saunders said. "Football is for all."
