sport news Blackpool forward Jake Daniels aims to remove taboo after coming out as gay trends now
Jake Daniels, the first professional footballer in this country since 1990 to come out as gay, wants Monday's landmark announcement to help others come out and remove the taboo surrounding homosexuality at the highest level of the game.
The Blackpool striker, 17, bravely revealed his sexuality on television, prompting a wave of support from players across all divisions, clubs and governing bodies.
Daniels, who has known he was gay for most of his life, had initially believed that he would have to conceal his true self for fear of the reaction within football. But, with the help of Blackpool, his family, team-mates and the Stonewall charity, the teenager hopes he can inspire others.
Pictured: Blackpool FC's Jake Daniels, who is just 17 years old, has come out as gay in a televised interview and hopes to remove the taboo in football regarding gay players
Speaking to Sky Sports (pictured above), 17-year-old Jake Daniels said he felt the time was right and he was ready to come out
The only openly gay man to have played in English soccer's professional leagues was Justin Fashanu, who was not active at a high level when he made the announcement in 1990. The ex-Nottingham Forest and Norwich City striker was found dead at 37
'For a long time I've thought I would have to hide my truth because I wanted to be a professional footballer,' said Daniels. '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.
'I am hoping that by coming out, I can be a role model, to help others come out if they want to. I am only 17 but I am clear that this is what I want to do and if, by me coming out, other people look at me and feel maybe they can do it as well, that would be brilliant, if they think, "This kid is brave enough do this, I will be able to do it too". I hate knowing people are in the same situation I was in. If a Premier League footballer does come out that would be amazing.
'I feel like I would have done my job and inspired someone else to do that. I just want it to go up from here. We shouldn't be where we are right now.
'I know that every situation is different and that there are a lot of different factors for other people to consider that will scare them a lot, especially in football.
'If you think you are ready, then speak to people. I know that's such a hard thing to do, it was a hard thing for me to do, but just speak to the closest people around you, you are going to get support you need.'
