NFL free agent Kerry Rhodes' sexuality was questioned last week when a website published photos of the football player on vacation with a male friend. The pictures of Rhodes appeared on MediaTakeout on April 10 that the website said "looked suspect," along with an attention-grabbing headline: "Top NFL Superstar Is Photo'd On VACATION...With One Of His 'MALE FRIENDS.'"

See photos of Rhodes with his male on vacation here.

The following day, Rhodes issued a statement to debunk the claim.

"Photos have been circulating of my former assistant and I that have caused some rumors regarding my sexuality, and I wanted to address the situation," Rhodes told TMZ. "I am not gay. The shots were taken during a past vacation in a casual environment with my entire business team."

Rhodes then said he "supports" the coming out of gay athletes and wishes them well.

"I know a lot of people are recently talking about athletes struggling to come out to their fans right now, and I support them, as well as wish those individuals comfort."

Rhodes' former assistant has come forward and revealed the true nature of their relationship. According to the man seen in the photos with Rhodes, their dealings were more than business - Russell "Hollywood" Simpson said he was not only Rhodes' assistant, but he was his ex-boyfriend.

Simpson said he decided to come forward to share the real nature of their relationship because Rhodes denied being gay. The former assistant said they met and lied together when Rhodes played for the Arizona Cardinals football team.

"I got to know Kerry and we became very close. I moved in with Kerry at his home in Arizona. At first we were just friends and we were getting to know each other. Then we got into a relationship. We were in a relationship for a whole year," Simpson told BallerAlert.com.

Simpson, who said he is Rhodes' first boyfriend, said their relationship took on a more personal turn after the NFL initiated physical contact with him first.

"(Of course) he came on to me. ...It did not take place instantly," he said. "You have to show me what time it is and he did. I was with it. It took us almost two months to sleep together. He made the first move -- as in kissing. Kerry says I was his first man he's been with. Doesn't matter, it still makes you gay," he said referring to Rhodes' statement to TMZ.

Simpson said a closer look at the pictures of him Rhodes together is enough evidence to confirm his history with Rhodes, then said he was not responsible for the photos being leaked on Media Takeout.

"You can see in the picture. A picture says a lot of things. You could see in the pictures that it was something there. The first set of pictures, I don't know how they got out because I did not put them out. If you go on my Facebook page you will see the same pictures but I always crop him out because it was nobody's business."

He then explained why he became so upset that he had to speak out and share their history together.

"What pissed me off about the whole situation is when he and I stopped talking and the pics got out. He said that he was NOT gay. To me he shouldn't have said sh**. If you're not going to tell the truth, don't try to make me look stupid. This is what I say: You can play Nintendo, You play XBox, You play lottery, You Don't Play Hollywood! I think he made a comment that he's as straight as an arm."

Simpon also revealed that Rhodes tried to cover up his undercover lifestyle by using his current assistant Alton, to call TMZ and say he was the man in the photos with the NFL star.

"What really set me off is when he had Alton the assistant call TMZ, say he was me and say Kerry and I are just friends...(but) he's like my brother," he said of Alton.

Tags
Kerry Rhodes, Gay