‘Well played, Jake’ - Lineker among stars and clubs to praise teen player for coming out
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LEICESTER City legend Gary Lineker is among those who have praised Blackpool FC’s Jake Daniels after the striker came out as gay.
He is the first British professional footballer to come out in three decades.
Gary, who is host of BBC’s Match of the Day, was among a legion of footballers, pundits, presenters and clubs to show their support to 17-year-old Daniels.
The teenager, who made his professional debut for Blackpool earlier this season, revealed his sexuality saying that it felt right to do it now. It has led to some of the greatest names in football and beyond to hail the announcement.
“Well played, Jake Daniels. It’s been a brilliant season for you on the pitch, and now through your bravery, off the pitch too,” said Gary, below. “I’m sure you’ll receive huge love and support from the football community and many others will follow your path. Good luck to you.”
The former Foxes striker added that only a few “morons” would make a gay player unwelcome in football.
“I honestly think that, aside from a few homophobic morons, football will be incredibly welcoming and enormously supportive towards a gay footballer,” he continued. “It’s long overdue for a player to ‘come out’ even though it’s ridiculous that it’s even necessary. A footballer is a footballer.”
Daniels’ announcement made him become the first British footballer to come out since Justin Fashanu back in 1990. He felt that now was the right time to come out after what had been a breakthrough year for him professionally. “It’s been quite a crazy year,” said Daniels. “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,” he told Sky Sports.
“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.” Leicester City also showed its support for the Blackpool forward. The club tweeted: “You’re an inspiration to us all, Jake.”
Football organisations were also among those to issue statements. “The footballing world is with you, Jake,” said the Premier League in a tweet.
“Your bravery is inspiring, Jake. Thank you for your courage!” said EA Sports, the makers of the Fifa game franchise.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson also praised Daniels’ bravery. He said: “Thank you for your bravery Jake, it would have taken huge courage to come out and you will be an inspiration to many both on and off the pitch.”
LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, which is behind football’s Rainbow Laces campaign, also issued a statement.
They believe football is moving towards greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ players in the game.
It said: “We are proud that Jake has felt able to share his truth with the world.
“To come out publicly as the first openly gay player in men’s professional football in the UK in the last 30 years takes courage.
“We are heartened by the solidarity he has received from the club and his team-mates.
“British men’s football is ready to welcome openly gay and bi players. It has been ready for some time.
“We’re moving towards a world where players can live openly as their true selves, both on and off pitch.
“That’s something we can all take pride in.”
For Daniels, he said his announcement was to help him no longer hide his true self. If that helped others, he felt that would be equally amazing.
“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,” he said.
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