Bloody Sundays, a new book by New York Times’ reporter Mike Freeman, is expected to hit bookstores in the coming week, but gay sports fans are already abuzz over a chapter in the book dedicated to chronicling the story of “Steven Thompson,” a pseudonym for an allegedly closeted football player. The book, which features interviews with players, coaches, officials, team management and league representatives, gives fans of the game an inside look into life in the NFL on and off the field.

According to a review of the book in the current issue of Sports Illustrated, Thompson says he once considered telling a teammate he was gay but reconsidered after hearing the teammate comment on a gay couple: “Somebody should kill those fucking faggots.” The book aslo talks about how Thompson allegedly dates women to throw teammates off the scent.

Probably the most intriguing part of Thompson’s story is that he claims to have dated another pro footballer for a year. According to Sports Illustrated’s review, that player reveals that he has dated four other guys in the league. Thompson goes on to say that he believes that there may be as many as 100-200 gay football players in the NFL.

“Thompson’s story rings true,” says Jim Buzinski, co-founder of Outsports.com, a website that has covered gay issues in sports for the past three years. “We’ve heard from at least two partners of NFL players who describe how hard it would be for the players to come out. These partners were even too nervous to let us tell their story, even anonymously. When it comes to being out in pro team sports, there’s still a depressingly long way to go.”

In the book, Freeman said he finds the estimate high. Currently there are 1,500 active players in the NFL. Based on the 10 percent theory Thompson would be on the mark with 150 gay players in the league.

“Freeman reports on all these issues with passion and compassion, almost always giving thoughtful consideration to both sides of the story,” reads a review of the book in Publishers Weekly. “[His] courage to tackle the sport’s biggest issues and his insider’s expertise make this a must read for football fanatics coast to coast.” — Compiled by Travis D. Bone