NFL star Kerry Rhodes is speaking out about the gay rumors that swirled after photos of him with his arm around a male friend during a vacation surfaced on the Internet.

"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 gossip website MediaTakeOut originally posted the images and wrote that Rhodes looked "suspect."

"The shots were taken during a past vacation in a casual environment with my entire business team," Rhodes continued.

Rhodes says he is supportive of gay players coming out and not being chastised for their sexuality. "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 is currently a free agent and played last season with the Arizona Cardinals.

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(Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)