His coming-out video made sporting history, blowing up social media and catapulting him to fame around the world.
Now, on the eve of the first-ever A-Leagues Pride Celebration, gay footballer Josh Cavallo is turning his attention to other codes, pleading with them to embrace inclusivity to help those struggling to be themselves.
"There are definitely sports where there are people that are waiting to come out," he says.
"I'm in touch with many.
"They don't have that space where it's friendly or they feel they can continue their sport after coming out."
Cavallo's announcement in 2021 that he was gay made global headlines, as he became the first openly gay male professional footballer.
The Adelaide United player says he wasn't ready for the full onslaught of attention, admitting he almost didn't post the video to his Instagram account at all.
"In the first 30 minutes I had 500,000 messages," he says.
"Then every 30 seconds for the next two weeks there were 30,000 DMs (direct messages) coming through at a time.
"It's just changed my life."
But while Cavallo says he's never been happier, he worries for those sportspeople still trapped in feelings of isolation.
"Everyone's on their own journey and I'm extremely proud to be helping these people who aren't out yet, because I didn't trust anyone," he says.
"Some are ready to come out tomorrow, some are ready to come out in a year, some are never wanting to come out.
"But they want that hand, that guidance … and I'm happy to do that for them."
Pride round 'creating a welcoming environment'
The A-Leagues inaugural Pride Celebration round coincides with Mardi Gras and Sydney World Pride festivities this weekend, culminating in an A-Leagues men's and women's teams double-header between Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United on Sunday.
Unfortunately, an Achilles tendon injury Cavallo suffered last Sunday and the subsequent surgery means the Adelaide United midfielder won't be able to participate.
However, the round been praised as a genuine pride initiative, underpinned by more than a year of consultation with players and club officials.
That's in contrast to other controversial pride attempts in the NRL and NBL, which have seen some players boycott the moves.
Cavallo says that doesn't mean codes should be giving up.
"I don't think there's any excuse not to have a pride round or a pride shirt," he says.
"It's creating a welcoming environment. Why wouldn't you want to do that?"
The NRL, which currently has no openly gay male players, has flagged a broader "Respect Round", with coaches said to be divided on the idea of a specific pride round initiative.
Cavallo says it's disappointing, especially considering he's in touch with football players who are actively hiding their sexuality.
"It's 2023. Grow up," he says.
"It's just helping people that are struggling in life.
"These people who are saying, 'Let's wait a few years,' … why wouldn't you do it now?
"It could be your colleague or someone really close to you in your family who's going through this.
"Seeing people being respectful and embracing it is only going to make people's lives better."
Leading the way
Since Cavallo came out, other athletes have followed.
Melbourne United player Isaac Humphries revealed to his NBL teammates that he was gay last year, while Czech international Jakub Jankto became the latest top-flight male footballer to come out earlier this month.
"It's great," Cavallo says.
"That is the purpose of why I did what I did.
"It's to make it easier for the next person and the next person until there's no story about it."
Cavallo says it's also about opening sport up to a whole new audience.
"Football is becoming a welcoming place," he says.
"Seeing this change in such a short time shows football can be for anyone. It doesn't matter who you are or what you do.
"I think that works for any sport."
No regrets
While he's excited for the Pride Round, Cavallo admits he's also nervous, after copping homophobic attacks while playing Melbourne Victory at the same venue last season.
"It made it real," he says.
"I knew taking this step there was definitely going to be this [abuse] thrown my way."
"But it happens less and less."
He says he hopes his story is encouraging others to live their lives freely and feel comfortable to be open, whether they're in sport or not.
"You are the only person who's going to change it," he says.
"I had so much fear but it's the best thing I did in my life.
"It closes this book and opens up a world that you never thought would exist.
"You'll never regret it."
