This has blown me away this early evening.
It's to footballs eternal detriment that this still has to happen this way when it should be a complete non-story and just another young man living their life openly and enjoying their job. But we sadly are where we still are and the all inclusive, welcoming to all game the sport portrays itself as is sadly still the furthest thing from that.
So I am in absolute awe at the tremendous courage shown by Blackpool's Jake Daniels to openly come out and be true to himself. Made even braver by the fact he is just 17 years old. Unbelievable strength of character from someone so young.
I'm just blown away by someone I'd never even heard about 10 mins ago before seeing that tweet and reading his story. Pride doesn't begin to sum up the unbelievably brave step he's taken. Hopefully, it will encourage and inspire others to follow in his footsteps.
We've still, sadly, a
LONG way to go with the base ignorance toward most everything in life that doesn't fit into peoples cookie cutter ideals. Not just in football. Like the ongoing battle against racism within the sport, someone's sexual preference shouldn't be any sort of an issue to be used against him in his job. So, hopefully the sport grabs this opportunity to show ho far it's come and stand FIRMLY side-by-side with the brave, beyond his tender years, Jake Daniels.
All power to you mate. Genuine, decent football fans stand with you all the way.
