North Dakota State College of Science linebacker Jamie Kuntz admits that initially he lied to a coach who confronted him about kissing an older man in the press box during a game that he was supposed to be videotaping (due to an injury), Forum Communications reports.

But then Kuntz, 18, came clean and admitted that the man was not in fact his grandfather, as he had said, but a 65-year-old boyfriend.

So he was removed from the squad. Kuntz says it was because of his sexual orientation, and he argues that he would not have lost his spot if he had been kissing a woman. But coaches say he broke clear rules about lying to them.

The Associated Press obtained the Sept. 3 dismissal letter, and in it coach Chuck Parsons told Kuntz he was off the team for breaking rules under the "conduct deemed detrimental to the team" category outlined in guidelines in the team's player's manual. Parsons noted the manual's section on "lying to coaches, teachers or other school staff."

The story drew some national attention, including that of journalist and gay rights activist Dan Savage. Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe also weighed in on Twitter.