The player from Blackpool, in the English 2nd division is the first English player to come out since Justin Fashanu.
Jake Daniels, a 17-year-old midfielder who plays with club Blackpool, in the English 2nd division, became the first active British professional player to publicly claim his homosexuality on Monday, in a press release.
“This season has been fantastic for me on the pitch. I played my first pro match, scored 30 goals with the reserves, signed my first pro contract.told the player on the website of his club.
“But off the pitch, I hid who I really am. I’ve known all my life that I was gay and I feel like I’m now ready to come out and be myself.”he continued.
In the 1990s, Justin Fashanu was the first openly gay English professional player, but he was playing at amateur level when he gave his explosive interview to the tabloid The Sun.
Victim of insults and homophobic behavior following his coming out, the former Norwich and Nottingham Forest striker committed suicide eight years later.
“Being gay, bi or queer is still a taboo in men’s football”underlined the young player, in an interview with Sky Sport.
“I think it’s because a lot of footballers want to be recognized for their manliness. And people see being gay as a weakness, something you can provoke on the pitch with.”he continued.
“But as I see it, I play football and (spectators) can yell things at me, but they pay to see me play and I make a living that way. So that they shout what they want, it will change absolutely nothing.retorted the young man again.
Daniels’ announcement was met with an outpouring of messages of sympathy from across English football.
“You are an inspiration to us all, Jake”for example, wrote the Leicester club on its Twitter account.
“Football is a sport for everyone, with diversity at its core, and this is a huge step in the right direction as we try to create a truly inclusive sport that we will all be proud of”added the English football federation.
