【Exclusive media report】Jake Daniels, a 17-year-old player for Championship club Blackpool, has announced his “coming out”. He is the first openly gay professional footballer since another British player, Justin Fashanu, in 1990. Jake Daniels acceptsSky TV UKIn the interview, he said, “After living a lie for a long time, I am ready to be myself”, and said that “coming out” received amazing support from teammates.
After announcing “coming out”, fans take to Jake Daniels’ social media Instagram Leave a message of support, including ???? and praise for his bravery. Jake Daniels said in an interview that he is ready to tell his story to the outside world and believes that now is the right time.
Image via Blackpool FC Facebook
Blackpool’s Young Player of the Season Award
On the pitch, Jake Daniels, a striker, scored 30 goals in this season’s U19 youth competition, signed a staff player contract with the club in February this year, and won the Blackpool’s Best Young Player Award. Jake Daniels made his debut as a backup once morest Peterborough in the Championship this month.
He admits that he has thought regarding how to disclose his sexual orientation to the outside world many times. After much thinking, he hopes to “come out” freely and confidently. He believes that his family, the club and his teammates can make him more confident and happy to be himself. .
Image via Jake Daniels Instagram
Likes same-sex since 5 years old
Jake Daniels revealed that when he was 5 years old, he knew that he liked the same sex, lamenting that he might only live in a lie for many years. Why describe living in a lie? Jake Daniels once thought that when he grew up, he would find a girlfriend, “I would change, I would ‘get better,’ but when I grew up, it was impossible.” He used to date women and tried to make his partner think he was ” straight”; when he was asked if he was gay when he was in school, he simply said no without thinking regarding it.
In addition, Jake Daniels once asked himself whether he should continue to hide his sexual orientation, and even asked whether he would “come out” until he retired. “But I know that I will not be able to live the life I want.”
Image via Blackpool FC Facebook
First player to come out in 1990 in sexual assault case commits suicide
In the history of British professional football, the first player to “come out” was Justin Fashanu, who played for clubs such as Nottingham Forest and Norwich. Justin Fashanu, then 29, became the first openly gay male professional footballer in the UK.
In 1998, Justin Fashanu was involved in a sexual assault case in the United States, accused of assaulting a 17-year-old man. Justin Fashanu committed suicide in London at the age of 37. In his suicide note, he said he was concerned regarding not being able to get a fair trial because of homosexuality, stressing that sex is consensual.
Another professional footballer who has “come out” is Thomas Hitzlsperger, whom Hong Kong fans know. Hensberga, from Germany, was born in the Bayern Munich youth team and played for Aston Villa, Stega, Russell, Westham, Wolfsburg and Everton in his career. In 2014, he announced that he “came out” and has become a male gay player who has attracted more attention in recent years.
Before Jake Daniels, 22-year-old Josh Cavallo, who now plays for Adelaide United, announced in October last year that he “came out” and is currently the only top male professional football player in the world to openly have a sexual orientation.
