Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has praised the bravery of Blackpool striker Jake Daniels after he became the first footballer in the UK since Justin Fashanu in 1990 to come out publicly as being gay.
Daniels' story was revealed on Monday afternoon via an exclusive interview with Sky Sports , in which the 17-year-old showed tremendous levels of courage to make the announcement. He is the first player in 32 years in the men's UK game to come out whilst still playing.
His announcement has received an overwhelming amount of supportive messages, not least from football clubs, players, former players, managers and pundits. It is being considered a watershed moment in English football and Daniels deserves huge praise for his announcement.
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On coming out as gay, Daniels told Sky Sports : "Now is the right time to do it. I feel like I am ready to tell people my story.
"Since I've come out to my family, my club and my teammates, 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.
"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."
Since making the announcement, messages of support for Daniels have flooded in, with United shot-stopper De Gea amongst those praising his decision.
On Twitter, De Gea posted: "Amazing courage and bravery, Jake."
Daniels added: "I needn't have worried. I've had so many messages saying, 'we are proud and we are supportive'. It's been amazing. I couldn't have wished for it to go better.
"The day after I told my mum and sister, we played Accrington [in an under-18s fixture] and I scored four goals, so it just shows how much of a weight off the shoulders and what a massive relief it was. And Blackpool have been absolutely amazing too.
"I am with them every day and I felt safe. My teammates have all been so supportive about it and everyone has had my back.
"They've been asking tons of questions, they have all been intrigued and their reaction has been brilliant. It's the best thing I could have asked for."
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