Jake Daniels Reveals Coming Out Pressures To Tom Daley
It takes guts to be yourself, especially when your workplace is a professional football pitch. Blackpool forward Jake Daniels recently sat down for a chat, sharing the raw details of his journey with none other than Olympic diving champion Tom Daley. Jake opened up about the intense pressure and personal struggle involved in coming out as gay within the hyper-masculine world of English football.
Growing Up Gay In The Game
From as young as five, Jake knew he was different. He told Tom Daley he recognised he was gay early on but spent years hoping that part of him would simply disappear. As his passion for football grew into a promising career, he felt caught.
Living his truth seemed impossible without potentially sacrificing the sport he loved. The fear of exposure meant keeping his identity a secret from everyone, including his family, friends, and crucially, his teammates.
Locker Room Fears And A Turning Point
Imagine the isolation. Jake described the internalised shame he carried for years, made worse by hearing casual homophobic jokes echo through locker rooms. It is an environment where vulnerability is often discouraged. He explained how this secrecy pushed him to stage fake outings with a female friend just to cover up dates with boys, terrified of being discovered.
The breaking point, or rather the spark of inspiration, came unexpectedly. Seeing Tom Daley on television discussing how powerful it would be for just one male footballer to come out struck a deep chord with Jake. Those words planted a seed.
Making The Brave Move
Hearing Daley’s message, combined with the eventual support from his close circle, gave Jake the courage he needed. He took the monumental step of sharing his story publicly. In doing so, he became the only openly gay male professional footballer actively playing in England at that time, a significant moment for visibility in the sport.
The Aftermath And Living Authentically
So, what happened next? Jake shared that the response was overwhelmingly positive. Fans from his own club, Blackpool, and even supporters of rival teams sent messages of encouragement. LGBTQIA+ fan groups and fellow athletes also rallied around him.
While some negativity inevitably surfaced on social media, the real-life support was immense and had a profound positive effect on his mental well-being. Living openly has brought him peace, strengthened his relationships, and removed the exhausting burden of pretence.
What Is Next For Visibility In Sport?
Despite the largely warm reception, Jake noted that the pressures within sport have not vanished overnight. When asked if other players had reached out to him privately since he came out, he revealed that none had done so yet. He believes the intense expectations of masculinity within football still make it incredibly difficult for others to take that step.
8. In May, Blackpool’s Jake Daniels became the first active footballer in the UK to publicly come out as gay since Justin Fashunu 1990. “I’ve known my whole life that I’m gay, and I now feel that I’m ready to come out and be myself.”
— ⭐ amy o'connor ⭐ (@amyohconnor) December 19, 2022
Did I mention he’s 17? 👏 pic.twitter.com/tLvBOI7OUU
Still, Jake remains hopeful. He hopes that by living openly and sharing his story, he can help pave the way for a future where athletes feel safer to be their authentic selves. Stories like Jake’s are exactly what is needed to keep shifting the goalposts.
