Blackpool’s Jake Daniels, 17, is first active male pro footballer in England to come out as gay
‘I am ready to be myself, be free and be confident with it all’ Blackpool FC forward Jake Daniels, 17, becomes UK’s first active male professional footballer to come out as gay and says ‘I don’t want to lie anymore’
Blackpool forward 17-year-old Jake Daniels has come out as gay this afternoonThe last professional British player to come out was tragic Justin Fashanu in 1990Only current out gay player in the world is Joshua Cavallo, who plays in Australia
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Blackpool FC’s Jake Daniels has come out as gay in a televised interview today, becoming Britain’s only active openly gay professional player.
It was claimed yesterday that the 17-year-old wanted to come out in a bid to tackle the scourge of homophobia in the sport.
The player was reportedly ‘very relaxed’ about his sexuality and has the full backing of his team-mates and Championship club.
He was said to be ‘keen to break the stigma’ and becomes the only out gay male professional player in the country, and the second in the world.
Speaking in an interview with Sky News, the teenage forward said: ‘I just processed and processed every day about how I want to do it, when I want to do it and I feel like now is just the right time to do it – you know I feel like I’m ready to tell people about my story.
‘I want people to know the real me and lying all the time just isn’t what I wanted to do.
‘It has been a struggle but now I do feel I am ready to be myself and be free and just be confident with it all.’
The last British pro to come out was Justin Fashanu in 1990, before he tragically took his own life eight years later, aged 37.
A source told the Sun that Daniels told club officials and his manager about his plans a few weeks ago, adding that his family already knew he was gay.
They added: ‘The club made it very clear it was his decision and they would back what he wanted to do. He told his teammates, some as recently as Friday, and they offered him their backing too.
Pictured: Blackpool FC’s Jake Daniels has come out as gay in a televised interview today
The last British pro to come out was Justin Fashanu (pictured) in 1990, before he tragically took his own life eight years later, aged 37.
‘Football dressing rooms have moved with the times and none of the players see it as a big deal.
‘They are all more interested in how he plays and trains. He is a highly valued member of the team.’
Josh Cavallo, 22, who plays for Australian team Adelaide United, came out as gay last year to then become the only out pro in the world.
Other players have come out after their careers were over, including former Aston Villa player Thomas Hitzlsperger, 40, and ex-Hull City youth’s Thomas Beattie, 35.
Amal Fashanu, who runs the Justin Fashanu Foundation to fight homophobia and racism in football, revealed in 2020 that her foundation was providing counselling to five secretly gay football stars, including two from the Premier League.
She created the foundation in 2019 partly in an attempt to help more players come out.
She previously said: ‘No one wants to be the first. In their minds these guys are trapped, ashamed.
‘They think society won’t accept it so instead they live their lives in secret.
‘It’s sad that this has to happen. But they would be a trailblazer [if they came out].’
Cavallo became the first known current top-flight male football player in the world to come out as gay in October 2021.
In an emotional and widely-praised video, he said was done with feeling ashamed about his sexuality and the exhaustion of trying to live a ‘double-life’.
Josh Cavallo, 22, who plays for Australian team Adelaide United, came out as gay last year to then become the only out pro in the world
‘I’m a footballer and I’m gay,’ the 21-year-old said in the clip posted on Adelaide’s social media and in a statement posted to his Instagram page, drawing support from fellow professionals across the world.
‘All I want to do is play football and be treated equally,’ he said.
Taking to Twitter, former England striker and BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker led an outpouring of public support for the player, saying he is hopeful Cavallo’s actions will ‘erase the fear others may have’ of coming out as gay.
‘It’s absurd that coming out is a brave thing to do in football,’ the former Tottenham and Barcelona star tweeted. ‘It is though, and I’m full of admiration for Josh for treading a path hopefully many others will follow.
‘I’m sure the overwhelming majority of football lovers will support him and erase the fear others may have.’
Cavallo said in his video: ‘There is something personal that I need to share with everyone. I am a footballer and I am gay.
‘Growing up I always felt the need to hide myself because I was ashamed – ashamed I would never be able to do what I love and be gay.
‘Coming out to my loved ones, my peers, friends, team-mates, and coaches has been incredible. The support I have received has been immense.
‘I want to show people it is ok to be yourself and play football. If anything, you will earn more respect from people [by coming out].
The player said his situation was ‘an absolute nightmare’, adding: ‘I feel trapped and my fear is that disclosing the truth about what I am will only make things worse.’
