Trailblazing moment for Daniels
English footballer Jake Daniels has come out as gay in a trailblazing moment for the European men’s game.
The 17-year-old forward made the announcement at the end of his first season as a professional player with second division club Blackpool.
‘‘This season has been a fantastic one for me on the pitch,’’ he said. ‘‘But 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.’’
While women’s football features many prominent LGBTQ + players, the men’s professional game lacks players who are publicly gay.
Daniels said he was inspired by Josh Cavallo of Australian team Adelaide United, the only openly gay man currently playing in a top division in world football following the 22-year-old midfielder’s announcement in October.
‘‘I’ve hated lying my whole life and feeling the need to change to fit in,’’ Daniels said. ‘‘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.’’
Daniels said team-mates at Blackpool embraced his sexuality after confiding in them. The northwest English club said it was ‘‘incredibly proud that he has reached a stage where he is empowered to express himself both on and off the pitch.’’
The English Football Association said Daniels was an ‘‘inspiration’’ to the sport.
The only openly gay man to have played in English football’s professional leagues was Justin Fashanu, who was not active at a high level when he made the announcement in 1990.
The former Nottingham Forest and Norwich City striker was found hanged in a London garage at age 37. The Justin Fashanu Foundation calls him the ‘‘world’s first openly gay professional footballer’’.
Football in England is still dealing with trying to eradicate homophobic chants at some games.
‘‘If, by me coming out, other people look at me and feel maybe they can do it as well, that would be brilliant,’’ Daniels said. ‘‘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.’’
It is a rarity in team sports for men to announce they are LBTQ+.
Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas was the first active rugby professional to come out in 2009, two years before he retired, and has become a source of inspiration across sports.
The first active NFL player to come out as gay was Carl Nassib in 2021 while he was at the Las Vegas Raiders.