US Men's Volleyball Captain Serves Authenticity with 'Freeing' Coming Out Post

Erik Shoji, the captain of the U.S. Men's Volleyball Team, posted a video message on social media in which he proudly proclaimed his truth and embraced authenticity.

In the roughly two-and-a-half-minute video, which Shoji, 35, posted to Instagram on June 13, the Olympic champion said, "I am here to tell the world today that I am queer."

Calling his revelation "scary, but freeing at the same time," Shoji explained that "personal acceptance... took a long time, and I'm working through that still every day, but I think I'm stronger, more confident and more sure of myself than I've ever been".

He decided to come out now, he related, due not just to having arrived at that place of personal acceptance, but also because of "the platform that I have."

Phrasing it in athletic terms, Shoji said, "this is my moment," and declared that he wants "to feel like I have won life, and me saying this now, today, I think, brings a lot of that together, and I'm so excited about where life is going to take me."

Shioji added, "I hope to be a role model. I am in a position where it's almost inevitable.... I hope to just inspire people to be themselves and to be personable, be kind, be nice and to love life."

The pro athlete continued on to declare, "I feel so good saying what I'm saying, and I know that I'm genuine in what I'm saying, and... my friends will be there, my family will be there, my team will be there, and I'm going to continue to continue to be myself.

"And I'm so excited for that."

Fans and fellow athletes flooded the comments with messages of love and support.

"Proud of you, Erik," the account of USA Volleyball posted. "Your courage, authenticity, and leadership on and off the court continues to inspire us all! Thank you for being you. We're honored to stand with you, always. ❤️"

"We're always with you, Erik ❤️" posted the account for Volleyball Nations League.

"We love you, Erik!" the account for Volleyball World USA chimed in. "Always be yourself. 🌈"

"Love you, E and the incredible person you are, have been, and continue to become!!! ❤️❤️❤️" teammate Cody Kessel applauded.

"Erik!!!!!!!❤️ Thank you for being you!!!!!!!!❤️" added UCLA Bruins team member Merrick McHenry.

GMA News Online noted that Shoji, who was born in Hawaii and attended Stanford, is a "two-time Olympic bronze medalist".

Pink News noted that Shoji is seen as "one of the best libero volleyballers in the world," and recalled that he "joined the US men's national volleyball team in 2013.

"The Stanford record-holder for career digs, he helped the US win bronze medals at the 2016 and 2024 Olympic games," Pink News added, "and gold medals at the 2015 and 2024 FIVB World Cup."

Shoji's coming out is just the latest in an ongoing series of high-performing athletes who have decided to leave the closet behind and bring their A-game to a free and authentic life. Fellow Olympian and middle distance runner Yared Nuguse simultaneously came out and introduced the world to his boyfriend in March. Danish pro handball player Villads Raahauge Jensen came out in January. The tennis world thrilled when Brazilian pro tennis player Joao Luca Reis Da Silva came out in a sweet birthday message to his boyfriend in December.

Perhaps the most famous moment of a pro athlete coming out on social media remains the casual Instagram post groundbreaking NFL player Carl Nassib made four years ago, in June of 2021. "I wanna take a quick moment to say that I'm gay," Nassib told his fans in the history-making video clip.

Congratulations, Erik Shoji!