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*The following article contains discussion of suicide/self-harm.
17-year-old soccer player for Blackpool Football Club Jake Daniels has come out as gay.
While a few people knew, Daniels wanted to ensure he was able to tell his story himself, so he worked with Sky Sports News and his team to get his story out there in his own words.
\u201cThe day after we played Accrington and I scored four, so it just shows how much of a weight off the shoulders it was.\u201dpic.twitter.com/xG0Nu2qcd9— Sky Sports News (@Sky Sports News) 1652717051
A message from Jake Daniels. \n\nhttp://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/16/a-message-from-jake-daniels/\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/dcznYKtSaD— Blackpool FC (@Blackpool FC) 1652717147
Daniels said he considered waiting to come out until after he retired.
But he decided that wasn’t a great option.
“I asked myself if I should wait until I've retired to come out. No other player in the professional game here is out.”
“However, I knew that would lead to a long time of lying and not being able to be myself or lead the life that I want to.”
Daniels also said growing up, he felt very pressured to be straight, a task he carried out by getting girlfriends when he was in school. But it didn’t work and he would get questioned on his sexuality.
While it can be difficult coming out, Daniels says the feeling is freeing and helps his mental state.
He said:
“I told my mum and my sister. The day after we played Accrington and I scored four, so it just shows how much of a weight off the shoulders it was and a massive relief.”
His announcement has been met with plenty of support.
Jake Daniels just changed thousands of people\u2019s lives forever. and he\u2019s 17.\n\ngo on lad.— Will (@Will) 1652717188
Good for him. Brave, especially for a 17-year-old. Hope others now feel they can follow suit.https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-blackpool-star-jake-daniels-26980013\u00a0\u2026— Pippa Crerar (@Pippa Crerar) 1652717923
Well done Jake Daniels, what a fantastic role model he will now become x— Lou Blakeway \ud83c\udfc3\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\u2693\ud83d\udcda\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Lou Blakeway \ud83c\udfc3\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\u2693\ud83d\udcda\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1652771460
Jake Daniels says coming out is a \u201cmassive relief\u201d. \n\nWe support you Jake, and hope this inspires others who may be afraid to be themselves freely https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61467159\u00a0\u2026— Pride in London (@Pride in London) 1652777234
In a time where drag queens are still being abused by small-minded footy hooligans, this is as important as it could ever be.\n\nRepresentation = normalisation\nNormalisation = acceptance\nAcceptance = Safety\nSafety = support\n\nFab newshttps://twitter.com/PinkNews/status/1526284852550565888\u00a0\u2026— Jake Clothier (@Jake Clothier) 1652730221
Daniels coming out is a big deal.
He’s the first active professional player in the United Kingdom to do so since 1990.
At that time, Justin Fashanu tried to come out while playing professionally. His reception was much more mixed.
Fashanu was hounded by a homophobic press and regularly bullied for his sexuality.
He tragically ended up committing suicide in 1998.
Full solidarity w/Jake Daniels & admiration for his bravery. I've watched mens football since the early 90s & vaguely remember reading of Fashanu's death by suicide in 98. As a fan, I'm ashamed that Jake's interview is a big deal in 2022, but it is. So much work for us to dohttps://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1526232454037704706\u00a0\u2026— Fabien Goa (@Fabien Goa) 1652726033
As Jake Daniels comes out and ushers in a new era for football, here's how homophobia claimed the life and career of Justin Fashanu, the world's first out gay male professional player.\n\nRead now https://buff.ly/3wvIhHr\u00a0pic.twitter.com/bHRr5Ub4Dl— Attitude Magazine (@Attitude Magazine) 1652807162
The threat of what happened to Fashanu set soccer back, with players fearing coming out.
Thomas Hitslzperger came out in 2014 only after he had retired from the premier league the year before.
Today is a different story—this time, Daniels is seeing plenty of vocal support.
What you said ten years ago at 17 years old doesn\u2019t define the man you are today. I am proud to be your teammate and to be part of the Blackpool family - we are all moving football forwards together— Jake Daniels (@Jake Daniels) 1652878807
"It's the base of respecting each other." \n\nPatrick Vieira says he feels heartened by the support Jake Daniels has received since coming out as gay.pic.twitter.com/XMWWZj3eGc— Sky Sports News (@Sky Sports News) 1652880364
For too long, homophobia in football has ruined lives, leading people to hide their sexuality or give up on their dreams.\n\nJake Daniels' decision today is a huge step forward for LGBTQ+ players, fans and society.\n\nWell done @Jake_Daniels11. You deserve so much love and support— Nadia Whittome MP (@Nadia Whittome MP) 1652720631
He will be role a model for tens of thousands of young men. Fair play and hats off Blackpool's Jake Daniels publicly comes out as gay | http://SportsJOE.ie— Leo Varadkar (@Leo Varadkar) 1652767876
\u201cYou being you, and being happy, is what matters most.\u201d\n\nWe stand with you Jake Daniels. \n\n#WeRespActhttps://twitter.com/BlackpoolFC/status/1526232455002345473\u00a0\u2026— AC Milan (@AC Milan) 1652731157
"When I saw him talking, I couldn't believe that he's 17 years old. I don't know him, but I'm really proud of him." \n\nLiverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praises Jake Daniels for his bravery after he became the first active professional player to come out publicly as gay since 1990.pic.twitter.com/l4uWrDjTZ5— Sky Sports News (@Sky Sports News) 1652856870
As part of his announcement, Daniel’s team Blackpool FC worked with Stonewall—an LGBTQ+ organization—to support him.
They also released a statement saying they are proud of the young player.
Several other organizations, including the Professional Footballers Association and the Premier League released statements in support of Daniels.
Let’s just hope that continues and translates into protection when needed.
Jake Daniels has become the UK's first active male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay.\n\nAn incredibly brave and courageous thing to do.\n\nWe respect you and admire you Jake. pic.twitter.com/e9zJCNam6E— SPORTbible (@SPORTbible) 1652717471
protect Jake Daniels at all costs— Mollie Goodfellow (@Mollie Goodfellow) 1652719456
If you dont understand why Jake Daniels is big news, football is one of many professions where the closet is seen as a commercially safer option for gay men. It needs someone with the courage to put that to the test. Hopefully in years to come we'll wonder what the fuss was about— Paul Sinha (@Paul Sinha) 1652727646
Why does this feel such a courageous thing to do?\n\nMuch respect to Jake Danielshttps://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1526231204969820160\u00a0\u2026— nazir afzal (@nazir afzal) 1652718186
\u2018Unsafe\u2019 with Jake Daniels because he\u2019s gay??\n\nShove your homophobia down your throat @yousef_CR8 - If you have nothing but lies, falsehoods & negative stereotypes to say about gay men - Shut Up.pic.twitter.com/N2zZlJnnV1— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu) 1652723079
One of the many lovely parts of this Jake Daniels coming out story is that Sky Sports News and his club, Blackpool, have been aware of it for several months and it hasn't leaked, and they've worked out the best way for him to share his story. There are good people out there.— Molly Hudson (@Molly Hudson) 1652717720
The dismissive "who cares" responses actually mean "Stop talking about it, it's making me uncomfortable, but I don't want to get pulled up on it".— NatCatVinny #GetVaxxed (@NatCatVinny #GetVaxxed) 1652790051
A young footie lad like Jake Daniels coming out and making history at 17 and being so articulate and proud of who he is has immeasurable impact on young lads struggling with their sexuality in sport, this representation will literally change lives— Harrison Brocklehurst (@Harrison Brocklehurst) 1652717844
I salute you, Jake - https://news.sky.com/story/jake-daniels-blackpool-footballer-17-comes-out-as-gay-becoming-only-openly-gay-male-professional-footballer-in-britain-12614598\u00a0\u2026\nJake Daniels: Blackpool footballer, 17, comes out as gay, becoming only openly gay male professional footballer in Britain— Eddie Izzard (@Eddie Izzard) 1652717376
Coming out as a professional sports player is not something to be underestimated.\n\nWe often talk flippantly about courage, but it's in moments like these we see it in its rawest and truest form.\n\nJake Daniels has just made thousands of young people feel accepted and represented.https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1526231204969820160\u00a0\u2026— John Amaechi OBE (@John Amaechi OBE) 1652774150
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge—William and Kate—offered their support as well.
Football should be a game for everyone. \n\nWhat Jake has done takes courage and will hopefully help break down barriers that have no place in our society.\n\nI hope his decision to speak openly gives others the confidence to do the same. Whttps://twitter.com/blackpoolfc/status/1526232455002345473\u00a0\u2026— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) 1652788962
Sky Sport News worked closely with Daniels to ensure he had the opportunity to tell the world who he is on his terms. Reporter Tim Thornton met with Daniels and his mother and built a roadmap to sharing this news.
In the end, Daniels chose to do this to help protect others, and encourage them to share their own truth.
And maybe a prominent public figure will help with both those things.
**
If you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
To find help outside the United States, the International Association for Suicide Prevention has resources available at https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
LGBTQ+ Youth can get help through:
- TrevorChat — 24/7/365 at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/#services
- TrevorLifeline — phone service available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386
- TrevorText — Text “START” to 678678. Available 24/7/365.
- TrevorSpace — online international peer-to-peer community for LGBTQ young people and their friends at https://www.trevorspace.org/
- Trevor Support Center — LGBTQ youth & allies can find answers to FAQs and explore resources at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/trevor-support-center/#sm.0000121hx9lvicotqs52mb1saenel