TRXDE OF THE MONTH: TED

This month we give recognition to not just gay athletes but gay athletes that play in gay leagues. Yes! There are gay leagues! These leagues were started in 1977 to give queer athletes a more inclusive space to play and prosper. There is almost a gay league in every sport!

This month we highlight Ted, a black man that plays rugby in Chicago’s gay league and has been KILLIN IT! Ted didn’t have much of an athletic career and was involved in band for most of high school and college. When he moved to Chicago in 2023, Ted was committed to making new friends and wanted to commit more time to his athleticism. Ted searched and searched but soon landed on the Chicago Dragon’s Rugby team. The Dragon’s is Chicago’s very own gay rugby team that has cultivated many notable athletes that have gone to play professionally and semi-professionally. 

Ted joined the team with little knowledge about rugby. Was it soccer? Was it American football? It was a little bit of both! He wanted to build a sense of community and that is exactly what he got! Ted started playing playing rugby in the Spring of 2023 and quickly picked up the sport. Being short, thick, and stocky, Ted was a perfect forward. Able to get low to the ground, thus making him hard to tackle. Ted played his first summer as a flank in the forward pack. After his first season Ted, tore his ACL. But this didn’t stop him! Ted recovered and came back in 2024 to hit the ground running. 

Playing with the Dragons gave Ted a new sense of purpose and motivation. He was not willing to give it up for anyone. Not only did his team support him on his recovery, but he also focused more on his weight training and fitness. 

Now Ted, is the starting hooker, one of the most difficult forward positions, for the Dragons. Ted has truly molded himself into a great rugby player, a mean forward, and an excellent black athlete. Rugby has given Ted super powers! Rugby has broadened his shoulders, inflated his chest, and given him a booty the trxde can’t resist! His growth in two years is absolutely phenomenal! 

Happy Pride to Ted, June’s TRXDE OF THE MONTH. 

Sincerely,

OG TRXDE