BLACKPOOL PLAYER BECOMES FIRST OPENLY GAY MALE PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER IN BRITAIN
Blackpool striker Jake Daniels has come out openly as gay, becoming the first active footballer to come out publicly since Justin Fashanu did so in 1990.
In a statement released by the club, the 17-year-old said: “Off the pitch I’ve been hiding the real me and who I really am. I’ve known my whole life that I’m gay, and I now feel that I’m ready to come out and be myself.”
“It’s a step into the unknown being one of the first footballers in this country to reveal my sexuality, but I’ve been inspired by Josh Cavallo, Matt Morton, and athletes from other sports, like Tom Daley, to have the courage and determination to drive change.”
“I’ve hated lying my whole life and feeling the need to change to fit in. I want to be a role model myself by doing this. There are people out there in the same space as me that may not feel comfortable revealing their sexuality. I just want to tell them that you don’t have to change who you are, or how you should be, just to fit in. You being you, and being happy, is what matters most.”
Daniels made his debut for the first team in the Championship this season and scored 30 goals for the youth team as Blackpool went on a great run in the FA Youth Cup, lifting the Lancashire FA Pro-Youth Cup Trophy.
“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,” Daniels told Sky Sports. “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 anymore.”
“The subject of being gay, 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.”
The news even drew a reaction from the Royal Family as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, and Kate Middleton tweeted: “Football should be a game for everyone. What Jake has done takes courage and will hopefully help break down barriers that have no place in our society. I hope his decision to speak openly gives others the confidence to do the same. W.”
Chief executive of the EFL, Trevor Birch, said: “We hope that this moment helps take us forward to a time where LGBTQ+ representation at all levels of the men’s professional game is the norm.”
Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp also commented on Daniels coming out after Liverpool’s 2-1 win against Southampton on Tuesday: “Fantastic. When I saw him talking I couldn’t believe he was 17-years old. The whole football community will support him. Whatever we can do. I don’t know him but I’m really proud of him. We live in 2022, that we have to make such a big thing of it is crazy but we’re getting there. I’m really happy for him.”
DCMS Committee Chairman Julian Knight said: “Jake Daniels has shown huge courage in telling his story and will be an inspiration for many other players and fans who sadly fear they can’t be themselves in a game that should be for everyone. That it has taken more than three decades since the last male professional footballer in this country felt comfortable enough to do so suggests a continuing culture of homophobia in football that is horrendously out of step with modern times.”
Justin Fashanu was the last active men’s professional footballer in the UK to come out during his playing career and featured for clubs in England and Scotland after announcing in October 1990 that he was gay.
Adelaide United’s Josh Cavallo, a 21-year-old midfielder who plays in the A-league in Australia is the only currently openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world and came out as openly gay only last October.
Maheta Molango, Chief Executive of the PFA, said: “It shows that football has evolved. Society has evolved. It’s very encouraging. It’s really moving away from this perception of players being those eleven spoiled kids running around and doing things that are above the law. That’s not the case. They’re sensitive. I think it should just prompt anyone who has any doubt about expressing who he or she is to just feel comfortable doing that.”
Blackpool FC followed the news with a statement saying: “It is vital that we all promote an environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves, and that football leads the way in removing any form of discrimination and prejudice.”
The club also revealed that it has worked closely with Stonewall to “support” Daniels and that they are “incredibly proud that he has reached a stage where he is empowered to express himself both on and off the pitch.”
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero