Topic: Gay Footballers

[Dim Glas]

Klopp is just amazing. Not just a quick sound bite but a proper genuine interesting chat. Gonna go get some of those laces.

He is incredible in these situations, he’s so attentive in these interviews, properly listening and engaged.

Like you say, not some little short promo, but sitting down and chatting and not needing an interviewer in the middle to conduct it.

[Hedley Lamarr]

Obviously Klopp is fantastic, on every issue actually, but what an impressive person Meikayla is.  A real role model.  When she talks about education a lot of those Twitter users should take notice.

[Rhi]

Jake Daniels: Blackpool forward becomes UK's first active male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay

"I told my mum and my sister. The day after we played Accrington and I scored four, so it just shows how much of a weight off the shoulders it was and a massive relief."

Blackpool forward Jake Daniels speaks exclusively on becoming the UK's first male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay since Justin Fashanu.

Jake talks about coming out to his parents, his club, and his team-mates. On his desire to be honest and live his life without telling a lie. On the anxiety of wondering if his family and team-mates would be supportive and on how he hopes his actions can help others do the same.

This is his story:

Now is the right time to do it. I feel like I am ready to tell people my story. I want people to know the real me.

I have been thinking for a long time about how I want to do it, when I want to do it. I know now is the time. I am ready to be myself, be free and be confident with it all.

I can't really put a date on it, but I was probably five or six years old when I knew I was gay. So it's been a long time that I have been living with the lie.

At that age you don't really think that football and being gay doesn't mix. You just think, one day, when I'm older I'll get a girlfriend and I will change and it will be fine.

But as you get older you realise you can't just change. It doesn't work like that.

I did have girlfriends in the past, to try and make all my mates think I was straight, but it was just a massive cover-up. In school people even used to ask me: "Are you sure you aren't gay?". And I would reply, "no, I'm not".

I wasn't ready and it was a struggle but I just don't want to lie any more.

For a long time I've thought I would have to hide my truth because I wanted to be, and now I am, a professional footballer. I asked myself if I should wait until I've retired to come out. No other player in the professional game here is out.

However, I knew that would lead to a long time of lying and not being able to be myself or lead the life that I want to.

Since I've come out to my family, my club and my team-mates, that period of overthinking everything and the stress it created has gone. It was impacting my mental heath. Now I am just confident and happy to be myself finally.

I first told my mum and my sister, who I live with. "Yeah, we already knew," was how they reacted.

Then we told my whole family and at this point I was quite scared because I didn't know how the older generation might react.

I needn't have worried. I've had so many messages saying, "we are proud and we are supportive." It's been amazing. I couldn't have wished for it to go better.

The day after I told my mum and sister, we played Accrington [in an under-18s fixture] and I scored four goals, so it just shows how much of a weight off the shoulders and what a massive relief it was.

And Blackpool have been absolutely amazing too. I am with them every day and I felt safe. My team-mates have all been so supportive about it and everyone has had my back. They've been asking tons of questions, they have all been intrigued and their reaction has been brilliant. It's the best thing I could have asked for.

Of course, everyone was kind of shocked in a way and they were asking why I didn't tell them earlier. That was a great reaction because it showed how much they cared.

The captain was one of the main people I told and he also asked me loads of questions. In the end he just said, "I'm just so proud of you". It meant so much.

I like it when people ask questions. I just want to get it all out and for people to hear my story.

It's been quite a crazy year. I'm 17. I've signed a professional contract. I've scored 30 goals this season and I've just made my first team debut in the Championship, coming off the bench against Peterborough.

And now I have decided to come out.

Everything has happened at once but it feels right. When this season started, I just wanted to prove myself as a player. I think I have. So this was the one last thing in my head that I knew I needed to do. Now it's out, and people know. Now I can just live my life how I want to and you know what? It's been incredible.

The subject of being gay, or bi or queer in men's football is still a taboo. I think it comes down to how a lot of footballers want to be known for their masculinity. And people see being gay as being weak, something you can be picked on for on the football field.

Of course I am aware that there will be a reaction to this and some of it will be homophobic, maybe in a stadium and on social media.

It's an easy thing for people to target. The way I see it is that I am playing football and they are shouting stuff at me, but they are paying to watch me play football and I am living my life and making money from it. So shout what you want, it's not going to make a difference.

I won't stop people from saying that stuff, I just need to learn how to not let it affect me.

I am hoping that by coming out, I can be a role model, to help others come out if they want to. I am only 17 but I am clear that this is what I want to do and if, by me coming out, other people look at me and feel maybe they can do it as well, that would be brilliant.

If they think this kid is brave enough do this, I will be able to do it too.

I hate knowing people are in the same situation I was in. I think if a Premier League footballer does come out that would just be amazing. I feel like I would have done my job and inspired someone else to do that. I just want it to go up from here. We shouldn't be where we are right now.

I know that every situation is different and that there are a lot of different factors for other people to consider that will scare them a lot, especially in football.

And if you think you are ready, then speak to people. I know that's such a hard thing to do, it was a hard thing for me to do, but just speak to the closest people around you, you are going to get support you need.

Jake Daniels posted an open letter on Blackpool's website.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12614531/jake-daniels-blackpool-forward-becomes-uks-first-active-male-professional-footballer-to-come-out-publicly-as-gay

[Rhi]

If you're thinking of posting "but why does he need to tell everyone tho", do us all a favour and just don't. Ta.

[Barneylfc∗]

Well done Jake. Hopefully others follow suit and don't have to hide who they are because of a few scumbags 

[Kenny's Jacket]

Good luck to him 

[Dim Glas]

If you're thinking of posting "but why does he need to tell everyone tho", do us all a favour and just don't. Ta.

I started reading that thinking his name was Jack Daniels (which would also be absolutely ok  ).

I think it’s great, just the mere fact he says what a weight off his shoulders it is makes it a wonderful thing.

[Crosby Nick]

Impressive statement from him given how young he is. Good luck to him.

[Iska]

Good on him and great statement, totally defuses the issue.  No doubt somebody’ll end up fucking it up, but I really can’t imagine him getting a hard time over this, people especially of his age have moved on long ago afaict.  Can’t stand all the handwringing about how awful football fans are, like we’re a different species.

[disgraced cake]

Wow, big news and only 17 as well. Best of luck to him.

[vblfc]

Well done to the lad. This is such a brave thing to do. He and his family should be proud. 

[TepidT2O]

Takes a hell of a lot of guts that…

I hope we’re at the point where any abuse won’t be on a large scale…

[damomad]

Brave boy, can’t be easy coming out even with a normal life nevermind in the world of professional football, he deserves all our support. Hopefully this gives strength to others worried about coming out.

[jackh]

Wish him and - acknowledging their support of him - Blackpool well for the future. Representation is crucial, but it must take so much to put yourself out there and I'm sure none of us would begrudge any the reasons for choosing not to do so.

[Mister Flip Flop]

Fair play to him. Hopefully starts a trend as no need for discrimination of any kind in this day and age.

[bornandbRED]

Shouldn’t even be a news story. Good on him for coming out.

[Sarge]

Best of luck to the kid.

[Persephone]

So very proud of him. He's still a child and willing to take on a sometimes very cruel world. I hope his strength enables others to do the same.

[Flaccido Dongingo]

Fair play to the lad, takes a lot of bravery to come out, never mind coming out as a gay man while a professional footballer, the gammons at away grounds will try to wind him up, but they're shithouses anyway.

[jillcwhomever]

A very mature young man, it's a really impressive statement from him. I hope it works out for him and he gets any support should he need it.

[tubby]

Shocked that it's someone so young, starting his career, really brave move.

[Zlen]

It could only be someone so young. This generation has no time for bullshit and living in fear all their life.

Well done.

[Morgana]

Shouldn’t even be a news story. Good on him for coming out.

We still have a long way to go as a species, am afraid, but people like this lad will hopefully change how we treat each other. At the end of the day self-acceptance is key.

[ChaChaMooMoo]

Good one there mate. Wishing you the best of everything.

Ignore the inbreds. People will love you for what you do on the pitch.

[B0151?]

Honestly I think it's great that it's news.

I mean if the lad has only came out because of the fear of being exposed and not being able to live life how he wants, then yes it's sad he feels he has to announce it if he would rather not reveal himself to the world like that.

But if he's came out because he's happy to be an inspiration and is proud of who he is, it's a brilliant news story. I will always be happy to see something in the news like this that can inspire others and make them more comfortable being themselves.

Something like sexuality as well, I feel like you could theoretically live in the most open and progressive society in the world with no homophobia, and it could still be a very difficult and confusing thing to go through just in your own head. So to say it out loud, to be heard, will always be very empowering to yourself and others.

[Nick110581]

Really courageous thing to do at 17.

[Syntexity]

Its about time someone finally came out in football, but that it was a 17 year old that did it is just so brave! Maybe I am thinking wrong, young people today grow up with a different view and level of acceptancy than in the past so maybe it had to be someone from his generation. Either way, so happy for the lad not having to live a lie and so happy for the support from his family, teammates and club! Made me a bit emotional this, that football can still be about something wonderful and not just money or imagewashing.

He will surely face gobshites, but those who arent will have to shut them up!

YNWA!!

[Redsnappa]

Maybe one day it won't be seen as 'brave' when someone does this. I live in hope 

[Only Me]

He came across as a very mature and impressive lad, especially given how young he is.

Fair play to Blackpool, who seem to have handled his situation sensibly and sensitively, and have created an environment where a lad of 17 feels able to take a step like this.

Wish him nothing but luck. Hope he's able to ignore the inevitable dickheads and goes on to great things.

[Elzar]

Shame to have to say this, but good timing too with the end of the season. He won’t need to face any immediate reaction from a crowd etc (the dickheads are out there). The news will move on and many will probably even forget by the time he’s playing competitive football again. But he will be so pleased to get it out there and not have to live a secret life because he wants to be a footballer.

Blackpool have clearly supported him well.

[bird_lfc]

Says it all looking at the sky sports instagram that their two posts about Jake both have comments disabled

Still a long way to go but you can’t understate how brave this is, right at the start of his career. Can only echo what others say, hopefully soon this won’t even be relevant or a news story

Well done lad

[Passmaster Molby]

Get in lad, we’ll done. Bet he feels a million times better for it, and it sounds like he has a great support network around him at Blackpool and home.

Fingers crossed this brave young man has taken the first steps towards more footballers being able to follow suit, because there will be scores of footballers out there shouldering the burden of feeling like they can’t come out as gay. I am sure the vast majority of fans, players and people within the game will support them and those who don’t really don’t matter.

[Port_vale_lad]

Good on him, but football largely is still in the dark ages.

Some engerlund fans with 6 pints of pre match stella with give him dogs abuse.

[Terry de Niro]

For anyone who hasn't watched his interview.
Massive kudos to the lad.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/-B4ygBi9Bpc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/-B4ygBi9Bpc</a>

[Son of Spion]

The fact that this is even a story tells us just how far football (and much of society) has yet to catch up with the 21st century.

I wish Jake all the best. He'll witness quite a few people outing themselves as bigoted gobshites from now on, but I hope he can take solace from the fact that the problems are all theirs, and he's more of a man than they'll ever be.

[BarryCrocker]

Madness that a fair few of the leading women's footballers like Megan Rapinoe and Samantha Kerr are openly gay and have been for a long time, but we still have this problem with male players coming forward like this young man.

[Suareznumber7]

Takes a hell of a lot of guts that…

I hope we’re at the point where any abuse won’t be on a large scale…

I hope I live to see the day that being gay, bi, queer, trans doesn’t matter and people are just allowed to live their lives.

[Gifted Right Foot]

What a well spoken kid.  All the best to him and his career. 

[RedG13]

Well Done Jake. Best of Luck to him in his career

[KeithK83]

Fair play and good luck to him. Here's hoping at some point it won't be something that has to be hidden for fear of abuse.