Deen feels like 'that black' football player

Southern TV personality and chef Paula Deen is the author of 14 cookbooks, runs a bi-monthly magazine and is the owner of Savannah restaurant The Lady and Sons. Here she attends the 2010 CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Dean and son Bobby host Moet Hennessy's The Q at Delano in Miami Beach on February 21.

Deen and Steve Doocy host the "Fox & Friends Christmas Special" in 2012 in New York.

Deen on stage with a costumed Kevin Bacon at Comedy Central's "Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs" in 2012 in New York.

Deen leads the 122nd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade as grand marshal with her husband, Michael Groover, in Pasadena, California, in 2011.

Deen promotes her new design book "Paula Deen's Savannah Style" at Barnes & Noble Union Square in 2010 in New York.

Deen presents during the 34th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment Emmy Awards held in Hollywood, California, in 2007.

• Paula Deen is on the cover of the new issue of People magazine


• She talks about the controversy she faced over using the "N" word in the past


• She describes how she's now trying to get her career and her name back


• Deen: I feel like "embattled" or "disgraced" will always follow my name

(CNN) -- Paula Deen has been down for the past several months, but she won't be counted out.

The 67-year-old celebrity chef is slowly rebuilding her career in food after it imploded last year when she admitted to previously using a racial slur.

And she says she is finding inspiration in what might seem an unusual place given her past troubles.

"I feel like 'embattled' or 'disgraced' will always follow my name," she tells People magazine, in a recent cover article. "It's like that black football player who recently came out," she said, referring to NFL prospect and former University of Missouri football standout, Michael Sam.

"He (Sam) said, 'I just want to be known as a football player. I don't want to be known as a gay football player.' I know exactly what he's saying."

The former doyenne of Southern also tells People about her life since last June when she acknowledged in a deposition that she'd used the "N" word in the past.

The deposition was part of a lawsuit filed against Deen by a former employee who alleged she witnessed the Southern star commit numerous acts of violence, discrimination and racism. (The lawsuit was later dismissed.)

It's the support from her fans, Deen tells People, that's enabled her to get back up after last summer's controversy stripped her of sponsors and her gig as a Food Network personality.

"If it wasn't for my fans' love, I'd be home breathing into a paper bag," Deen says. "When I woke up each morning, it was like my world was crashing down again. ... I'm fighting to get my name back."

It looks like Deen's efforts may be paying off. Within the past month, Deen has made a warmly welcomed appearance at the recent South Beach Wine and Food festival), has announced a new company, Paula Deen Ventures, and confirmed she's planning to open a new restaurant in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.