John Netter, a goalkeeping coach for FC Buffalo, bravely came out as gay, sparking a wave of support and awareness in the soccer community. Despite facing past discrimination, Netter’s openness has fostered unity and understanding, especially during Pride Month.
Soccer coach John Netter publicly came out as gay last year, receiving overwhelming support from his community. Netter, who has been involved in soccer since his mid-teens, now serves as a goalkeeping coach for FC Buffalo, a semi-professional team in USL League Two. Head coach Nick Mendola offered him the coaching role last offseason.
Over the years, Netter has experienced and been affected by homophobic jokes and comments within the sport. Despite these challenges, his open announcement has led to apologies and increased support from those who made such remarks. Netter shared his story more publicly during Pride Month to offer representation and courage to others in the LGBTQ community.