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SALEM, Ore. Los Angeles Lakers Jerseys . -- Conner Mertens didnt want to pretend anymore -- especially with his teammates. So the redshirt freshman kicker at Division III Willamette announced Tuesday that hes bisexual. "It got to a point where I just got tired of it, trying to hide who I was and trying to pretend I was something I was not," he said. Mertens, 19, announced his sexual orientation to his teammates during a meeting on Monday. A story about him appeared on Outsports.com on Tuesday. Speaking on campus later in the afternoon, Mertens said he hopes his announcement helps dispel the stereotypes and stigmas associated with bisexual athletes -- and in turn let other LGBT athletes know they are not alone. "You can be real and you can be yourself," Mertens said. "That only starts when you can love yourself and let others love you. Thats kind of where I was going with this." Bearcats coach Glen Fowles said the players were overwhelmingly supportive of his decision. "Its been great to see the way our guys have rallied around," Fowles said. "For our guys, Conner is just a kicker." Team captain and junior inside linebacker Jack Nelson said: "It wasnt a big deal and we were glad he felt comfortable to tell us." While several LGBT athletes have come out, including former NBA player Jason Collins, WNBA star Brittney Griner and Major League Soccer player Robbie Rogers, its believed that Mertens is the first active college football player at any level to publicly announce his bisexuality. Willamette issued a statement supporting Mertens decision, saying the university "respects his contribution to a more humane and just world." Fowles joked about how Mertens first approached him: "He says, Coach, Im really going to utilize this open door policy." Mertens, who told his family just after Christmas, said he was humbled by the response. "It sounds corny, but I legitimately feel theres a weight off my shoulders. Its tiring to pretend your something else for 24-7, for 18 or 19 years of your life," he said. "So finally to be able to joke about it, to be honest about it, not have to put on this mask, Im finally able to take a deep breath." The Bearcats play in the Northwest Conference. The team went 7-2 overall last season and finished third in the league at 4-2. Mertens did not play his freshman season because he hurt his left knee while playing soccer. He will compete with two other kickers on the Bearcats roster. Robert Horry Lakers Jersey . In a series of tweets, it is explained by the Department of Player Safety that Niederreiter makes full body contact with Burrows and although there is head contact, he does not "pick" the head in the course of making the hit. Elgin Baylor Lakers Jersey . LaQuinton Ross scored 17 of his 20 points in the first half, hitting his first four 3-pointers, to send No. http://www.lakersbasketballshop.com/Byron-Scott-Jersey/ . "He started putting me on the ice to strengthen them at the suggestion from a doctor," he said. Weight said it wasnt a pretty sight at the rink in St. Clair Shores, Mich. "I looked like Forrest Gump," he joked.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. "You know, hed be fun to watch if you werent coaching the other team," Clifford said. James scored 30 points to help Miami beat Charlotte 97-81 Saturday night for the Heats 13th straight victory against the Bobcats. With Mario Chalmers suspended, Chris Bosh limited due to foul trouble, Ray Allen out with the flu and Dwyane Wade a non-factor, James came up big for the Heat. The four-time MVP was 13 of 18 from the field and had seven assists in his eighth 20-point game this season. "More than anything, it was his energy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of James. "When you see him attacking off the glass and pushing coast to coast, you know he feels good with his body and you know it sets a great tone for our team. Hes playing with great energy on both ends of the court." Miami (7-3) relied on its bench to close the game out. Of Miamis 29 points in the fourth quarter, 23 came from reserves Michael Beasley, Chris Anderson, Rashard Lewis and Roger Mason Jr. Beasley finished with 15 points and Anderson had 10 for the Heat, winners of six of their last seven overall. Bosh said it was an odd feeling having so many starters out of the game in the fourth quarter with the outcome still in doubt. "I dont know when the last time that has happened," Bosh said. "But (the reserves) kept the lead at a nice distance. We were rooting for them and encouraging them because we need everybody -- one through 15 -- to not only raise their play but sustain it." James said he had intentions of returning to the game late in the fourth quarter but didnt need to after the Heats reserves began to pull away with the lead. "Once they got going I just said let them keep going," James said. "They had a great rhythm." Kemba Walker had 22 points to lead the Bobcats, who shot 35 per cent from the field. Jeffery Taylor scored 14 points and has now finished in double digits in six of the last seven games. The Bobcats (5-5) had won two straight coming in, and stayeed within 10 points for a good portion of the fourth quarter but could never grab the lead. Lance Stephenson Lakers Jersey. "Weve got to keep on pushing," Walker said. "I think weve been playing some great basketball right now. Its still early in the season. All we have to do is keep looking forward and keep trying to get better." James had 20 points in the first half on 8-of-11 shooting and Miami led by as many as 16. Only one of James first-half field goals came from outside of 10 feet as he did his damage driving and attacking the basket. Its a good thing for Miami that James was on his game early because the other parts of the big three struggled. Wade only played 23 minutes after his knee tightened up, while Bosh had three fouls and no points in eight first-half minutes. Bosh would later pick up his fifth foul with 4:27 left in the third quarter and drew a technical foul after hed taken a seat on the bench. A few seconds later, Spoelstra began chirping at the officials and he was slapped with a technical, too. But the Heat survived, in part because of their defence. James said thats a good sign. "At the end of the day if we dont defend we arent going to be able to compete where we want to compete," James said. "It was nice to see us play with a lot of energy tonight." Chalmers was serving a one-game suspension after being ejected from the Heats 110-104 victory over Dallas on Friday night. Chalmers was called for flagrant-2 foul with 5:01 remaining in the fourth quarter after referees ruled he intentionally swung an elbow at Dirk Nowitzkis head as he tried to fight through screen. Before Saturday nights game Spoelstra said he "disagreed" with the NBAs decision to suspend Chalmers. "We dont have to agree with it," Spoelstra said. "What we can do is agree to disagree." NOTES: Clifford picked up his first technical foul as Bobcats coach in the second quarter. ... James excited the crowd when blocked Walkers breakaway layup into the fifth row behind the basket. ... Shane Battier drew his eighth charge of the season. ... Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson attended the game. ' ' '