Jake Daniels becomes UK’s first active male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay – reaction | Football News
On Monday, Jake Daniels of Blackpool became the first male professional footballer in the UK to appear in public as gay since Justin Fashanu in 1990.
Daniels, 17, shared his story Sky Sports and Gary Neville believes his decision will go down in history as an important day for English football …
“I’m so proud to see a 17-year-old be able to do a real interview at that level of quality,” Neville said. Sky Sports.
“I couldn’t have done that in my mid-twenties or late twenties. What he just did took incredible courage. We’ve been in dressing rooms for many, many years and it seems unthinkable. to announce that.you’re gay.I can’t imagine how hard that is.
“It’s a very important day for Jake and his family but also for English football. It’s going to fall into history. It’s a big, big opportunity for football players. It’s even more important, it is.
“I was on the PFA management committee maybe 15 to 20 years ago where it was an important point to speak, an important issue at management committee meetings that we didn’t have a player that was comfortable with. come out and say they are gay.
“How do we deal with this? How do we solve it? The game doesn’t really deal with this issue.
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Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher praised Jake Daniels after the 17-year-old came out gay, describing his announcement as an important day in English football history
Jamie Carragher praised Blackpool’s role in supporting Jake in telling his story.
“I knew the manager there, Neil Critchley,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “I think it’s very important, the role of the football club, if there are other players in the future, how it’s done at Blackpool.
“Sure, Neil Critchley in that role will be a great support mechanism for Jake and that’s what he needs going forward. He seems to have great talent as a player and we hope he does well.
“I can only repeat what Gary said about Jake’s courage. But it’s not just about Jake, it’s about the football club, and I think they’re an example to others of how to do it when other players will come out. in the future. “
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‘I told my mom and my sister. The next day we played at Accrington and I scored four, so it just shows how much weight is on the shoulder. ‘ Jake Daniels of Blackpool tells his story on Sky Sports News
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Jobi McAnuff and Curtis Davies received a positive response to Jake Daniels ’release as gay and praised Blackpool for creating an environment where he felt comfortable doing so.
A Premier League statement, read: “We support Jake and believe football is for everyone. Clubs and communities are stronger when everyone feels welcome, on and off the pitch. We already have the pitch. all to make that happen, so we should all speak out against discrimination and support the LGBTQ+ community. “
A statement from the FA, read: “Jake, you are an inspiration to us all and we fully support your decision to be open about this part of yourself. Football is a game for everyone, with diversity at heart. of it, and it’s a huge positive step as we strive to create an inclusive game that we can be proud of. ”
