It is a coming out that has gone unnoticed in the British and international press. Monday 16 May, 17-year-old professional footballer Jake Daniels decided to come clean about his homosexuality. in a press release, For the first time since Justin Fashanu came out 32 years ago.

It’s not easy to live out your homosexuality in broad daylight, especially in a masculine environment. As a result, a taboo hangs over the professional sports arena, and football in particular. But is this trend slowly changing? After Australian player Josh Cavallo’s ouster last year, it is the turn of British second division midfielder Jake Daniels to reveal his homosexuality.

This season has been great for me on the pitch. I played my first pro game, scored 30 goals for the reserve team, signed my first professional contract and shared the success with my teammates.

But off the field, I hid my true self and who I really am. I’ve known my whole life that I was gay, and now I feel like I’m ready to come out and be myself.

A daring revelation when homophobic outrage as we know it continues in stadiums today. However, the young midfielder remains confident if he believes one of the first pro players to come out is “a step into the unknown”. interviewed by sky game He says:

“As I see it, I play football and (the audience) may yell at me, but they pay to see me play and I make a living that’s how they scream what they want.” Well, it won’t change anything at all”.

Blackpool’s Jake Daniels talks about being the first male professional footballer in Britain to publicly come out as gay since Justin Fashanu.

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) 16 May 2022

become a model

This public outcry that everyone is already talking about has sparked many comments in the football world and elsewhere. The youngster has received several messages of support, including from the English Football Federation:

“Football is a sport for everyone, diversity is at its core, and it is a huge step in the right direction as we try to create a truly inclusive sport that we will all be proud of.”

For his part, Jake Daniels hopes his gesture will make a difference and inspire other players to take responsibility for themselves and other gay people for coming out in environments other than professional sports.

I’ve hated lying my whole life and felt the need to change to fit in. By doing this I want to be a role model myself.

There are people in the same situation as me who may not feel comfortable revealing their sexuality. I just want to let them know that you don’t need to change who you are, or how you should be, just to fit in.

Being yourself and being happy is what matters the most.

What if a new, more inclusive era opens up in professional sport?