Jake Daniels wears a tank top by Ami, shorts on Ron Dorff, socks by Sockshop, and boots by Moschino (Image: Azazel)
As the first gay male professional in British football to come out since Justin Fashanu, Jake wants to make the game more inclusive. This is why he's the winner of the Gamechanger Award at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar
The Great British weather is beginning to turn as Jake Daniels sits down with me on a grey and miserable-looking September evening. The Blackpool FC player – recipient of the Gamechanger Award at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar – has been in a training session before a match against Nottingham County the following day. Calling in from his Blackpool home, the 18-year-old striker would probably like to put his feet up, but instead, I’m asking him to reflect on the past 17 months since he came out as gay. After taking a deep breath, he says, “Last year was kind of a whirlwind.” And in a statement that shows he has no regrets, he adds, “Coming out was the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Daniels made his announcement on 16 May 2022, the same month that he made his professional debut for his League One club. He told Sky Sports, “For a long time I’ve thought I would have to hide my truth because I wanted to be, and now I am, a professional footballer.” Months before, Josh Cavallo had done the same, then becoming the world’s only out-gay male professional footballer playing at the top level.
After his frank confession, Daniels became the first gay male professional in British football to come out since Justin Fashanu. “It was just a nice feeling for me to be able to come out and live my life how I wanted to and kick on with football.” And his actions sparked something of a domino effect. Since he opened up about his sexuality, Scottish League footballer Zander Murray, referee Craig Napier and Lloyd Wilson, and Czech Republic player Jakub Jankto have all followed suit.
“I think the biggest thing is my maturity — I’ve grown as a person” – Jake Daniels
Not only does being open seem to have been the best outcome for Daniels, but in providing yet another ripple in a wave of change, it also marks a significant step forward for football and even sport more broadly. Football has long been seen as unwelcoming — even at times outright hostile — towards the LGBTQ+ community. But if people like Daniels now feel able to be themselves on the pitch, it’s a promising sign that the beautiful game is finally catching up with the rest of society. If only we could count on our supposed allies in the sport. I’m looking at you, David Beckham! [continued...]
Reposted from Attitude. To read the full article go to: https://www.attitude.co.uk/news/aa-jake-daniels-attitude-awards-448591/
Jake Daniels on the cover of the Attitude Awards issue (Image: Azazel)
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