Wade Davis, the gay ex-NFL player who came out earlier this year, is being honored as grand marshal of Chicago’s major pride event, reports Red Eye Chicago.

The ex-Tennessee Titan, Washington Redskin and Seattle Seahawk, who didn’t come out until his football career was over, will be riding a convertible at the front of Chicago’s 44th annual Pride Parade.

“Since leaving the league, [Davis] has gotten really involved in the LGBT community and has put a lot of energy into his efforts. He is just so involved. It really inspired us,” said parade coordinator Richard Pfeiffer in the announcement Thursday of Davis as the parade’s Grand Marshal.

“He was giving so much time and energy to the LGBT community, we thought we’d be honored to have him as grand marshal.”

Every year, Chicago’s June pride month features dozens of different events organized by various community organizations, group and individuals.

The pride month of 2013 includes choral concerts, dances, theater presentations, receptions, dinners and a dyke march amongst other events.

The theme for the year’s celebration is Pride 365.

The pride parade will start at the corner of Broadway and Montrose and will travel the same route as last year.

“We’re looking for a good turn out this year," according to Pfeiffer.

"We hope that it’ll be a celebration that Illinois joins 12 other states in allowing same sex marriage. We’re hoping that the parade will celebrate that as well as highlight lots of other LGBT organizations. And really, we’re excited to have Wade with us.”

Davis served as an LGBT surrogate for President Obama during his re-election campaign.

He spoke at countless events on behalf of the president advocating for LGBT rights.