Blackpool forward Jake Daniels has become the first openly gay active professional footballer in the UK and his announcement has been immediately met with an outpouring of love and support.
In a statement released on the Tangerines official website, Daniels wrote: "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 team-mates, going on a great run in the FA Youth Cup and lifting the Lancashire FA Pro-Youth Cup.
"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."
The news has been greeted with a wave of love and support from a number of prominent figures within the footballing community. Ex-West Ham United midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger came out as gay after he hung up his boots and has responded to Daniels' news.
The former Germany international wrote: "Well done @Jake_Daniels11 Have a wonderful career! Great to see the support of @BlackpoolFC and @stonewalluk to make this possible!" Stonewall are an organisation fighting for the rights of LGBTQ+ people everywhere.
Fellow Championship side Preston North End also took to Twitter to respond to the news. They wrote: "Preston North End commend the courage shown by Jake Daniels, we hope his bravery is an inspiration for others to feel they are able to follow in his footsteps. Football is a game for all."
High-profile comic Eddie Izzard said: "I salute you Jake," while the official Premier League Twitter account wrote: "Football is everyone's game" accompanied by the rainbow flag emoji. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville called Daniels' announcement "a moment of great importance".
The former Manchester United star added: "What he has just done tonight takes incredible courage - we have both been in dressing rooms for many many years and that would seem unthinkable to announce that you are gay and I can't imagine how difficult it has been really."
Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher echoed his sentiments, explaining: "The way he [Daniels] has spoke, I can only reiterate what Gary has just said before about the actual courage to do that but I think it's not just about Jake but about the football club and their role within it and its an example for other clubs if there are other players to com out in the future."
Match of the Day presenter and ex-England striker Gary Lineker praised the player's bravery, writing on Twitter: Well played, @Jake_Daniels11. It’s been a brilliant season for you on the pitch, and now through your bravery, off the pitch too. I’m sure you’ll receive huge love and support from the football community and many others will follow your path. Good luck to you."
The Professional Footballers' Association also praised Daniels' bravery. They added: "We are extremely proud of Jake and have been working with him and his club. He has the complete support of everyone at the PFA."
Another anti-homophobia organisation in Football vs Homophobia stated: "Football v Homophobia would like to congratulate Jake on taking this step to share his authentic self in the men's professional game, especially at such a young age.
"There have previously been players who felt that they had no place in the game as out gay men during their playing careers, but Jake is showing the world that you can be yourself.
"We hope that football will join us in celebrating Jake's news and take proactive steps to ensure that he receives the support he deserves, from players, fans, clubs and the football authorities."
In his statement, Daniels went on to explain how he was helped to make the decision to come out by the support received from those closest to him. "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 pro-active in putting my interests and welfare first.
"I have also confided in my team-mates 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."
