California made history on Tuesday when the Commission on Judicial Appointments announced it unanimously confirmed Associate Justice Martin J. Jenkins, the state's first openly gay Supreme Court justice.
Jenkins, 66, is only the third Black associate justice to serve on the state's highest court and the first since the appointment of Allen Broussard in 1981. Jenkins fills the vacant seat from Associate Justice Ming Chin, who retired on Aug. 31.
Jenkins played varsity football and tennis for Santa Clara University before pursuing a professional football career. He competed in two games as a defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks before pursuing a career in law, according to SF Gate.