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Jake Daniels, 17, Becomes First Openly Gay Active Male Professional Footballer In UK

Jake Daniels, 17, has come out as gay, making him the first openly gay male professional footballer in the UK.
Credit: Alamy

Jake Daniels, 17, has come out as gay, making him the first active, openly gay, male, professional footballer in the UK.

The Blackpool FC forward released a statement and revealed he no longer feels he has to ‘hide’ the ‘real’ him.

It read: “This season has been a fantastic one for me on the pitch. I’ve made my first-team debut, scored 30 goals for the youth team, signed my first professional contract and shared success with my teammates, going on a great run in the FA Youth Cup and lifting the Lancashire FA Pro-Youth Cup.

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“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, but I’ve been inspired by Josh Cavallo, Matt Morton and athletes from other sports, like Tom Daley, to have the courage and determination to drive change.

“In reaching this point, I’ve had some of the best support and advice from my family, my Club, my agent and Stonewall, who have all been incredibly proactive in putting my interests and welfare first. I have also confided in my teammates in the youth team here at Blackpool, and they too have embraced the news and supported my decision to open up and tell people.

“I’ve hated lying my whole life and feeling the need to change to fit in. 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. I just want to tell them that you don’t have to change who you are, or how you should be, just to fit in.

“You being you, and being happy, is what matters most.

“Jake.”

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Written by Editorial