JAKE DANIELS has received an amazing show of support since coming out as gay yesterday.
The promising Blackpool striker became the first English professional footballer to come out since Justin Fashanu 32 years ago.
Jake Daniels has impressed fans on and off the pitch this season Credit: Rex Daniels, 17, inspired many with his bravery, as he told Sky Sports: “Now is the right time to do it. I feel like I am ready to tell people my story. I want people to know the real me.
“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.”
The football world has subsequently rallied around Daniels.
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Blackpool’s Jake Daniels becomes 1st openly gay footballer since Fashanu England captain Harry Kane tweeted: “Massive credit to you @Jake_Daniels11 and the way your friends, family, club, and captain have supported you. Football should be welcoming for everyone.”
Kane’s Spurs team-mate Eric Dier wrote: “Football is for everyone. 🤝”
Three Lions legend and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker posted: “Well played, @Jake_Daniels11.
“It’s been a brilliant season for you on the pitch, and now through your bravery, off the pitch too.
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“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. 👏🏻👏🏻”
In a message posted via the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Twitter account, Prince William wrote: “Football should be a game for everyone.
“What Jake has done takes courage and will hopefully help break down barriers that have no place in our society.
“I hope his decision to speak openly gives others the confidence to do the same.”
All 20 Premier League clubs tweeted Daniels with messages of support.
While his Blackpool team-mate Sonny Carey wrote: “We’re all behind you Jake 💪🏽🍊”
Music icon and Watford’s honorary life president Elton John posted: “Congratulations @Jake_Daniels11!
“A courageous and game-changing statement. At seventeen, he has hopefully changed the face of football forever. Bravo 👏🏻 🚀”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote: “Thank you for your bravery Jake, it would have taken huge courage to come out and you will be an inspiration to many both on and off the pitch.”
While Labour leader Keir Starmer added: “This shows real courage and bravery and will serve as an inspiration to many young people across the country.
“Thank you Jake. We are all with you.”
Rio Ferdinand tweeted: “Massive respect for this brave decision. Let’s all help create a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ people in football and beyond! 👏🏽”
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both hailed Daniels during Monday Night Football.
The way in which Jake spoke was absolutely incredible
Gary Neville
Neville said: “What he has just done takes incredible courage. We both lived in a dressing room and that would seem like the unthinkable to announce you are gay.
“I can‘t imagine how difficult that has been. All I would say is it’s a day of great importance for Jake and his family, but also for English football. It will go down in history. It is a big, big moment for football.
“The game has not dealt with this issue well at all. We know that now it is something that is acceptable from a fan point of view, but it’s not yet got into the dressing room.
“A dressing room can be an evil place… you think about the initiation ceremonies you go through, the peer pressure and vulnerability you have. The way in which Jake spoke was absolutely incredible.”
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BBC Breakfast fans in tears as Dan Walker bids farewell to show Carragher added: “I know the manager Neil Critchley, I had a relationship with him at Liverpool. Neil will be a huge support mechanism for Jake because he will need that going forward.
“It’s not just about Jake, it’s about the football club and their role within it and it’s an example going forward for other clubs.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
