Former Division I college football player Jake Eldridge has said he left the sport after years of hiding his sexuality and experiencing severe stress-related health problems. My biggest fear wasn’t just people knowing – it was people knowing before I was ready,” he added. Eldridge had already come out to his parents while at IMG Academy and has said they were supportive throughout. In November, near the end of his freshman season, Eldridge was hospitalised for three days with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition. Subscribe to Attitude magazine in print, download the Attitude app, and follow Attitude on Apple News+.