Jake Daniels, first footballer in England to admit to being homosexual since Justin Fashanu

Perhaps it should not be news, but it is a fact to note that Jake Daniels (Blackpool), this very Monday, has become the first professional player in English football to openly acknowledge that he is homosexual since Justin Fashanu did so in 1990. He did so in an exclusive interview with 'Sky Sports'.

"I feel like I am ready to tell people my story. Now is the right time to do it. Since I've come out to my family, my club and my team-mates, that period of overthinking everything - and the stress it created - has gone. It was impacting my mental health. Now I am just confident and happy to be myself finally." He said. 

"I have been thinking for a long time about how I want to do it, when I want to do it. I know now is the time. I am ready to be myself, be free and be confident with it all." He added.

A story that reminds us of Justin Fashanu, the last man to talk about his homosexuality as a footballer in England. That was 32 years ago, in October 1990. At that time, the former footballer was playing for Manchester City.

"In school people even used to ask me: 'Are you sure you aren't gay?' And I would reply, 'no, I'm not'. I wasn't ready and it was a struggle but I just don't want to lie any more." Daniels continued in the interview. 

"I've hated lying my whole life and feeling the need to change to fit in," he added. "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." He ended.

 

May 16, 2022