Captain Troy Deeney of Watford has declared that each football team is likely to have one gay player in their ranks as he encouraged more athletes to open up on their sexuality.
Former Norwich striker Justin Fashanu is the only openly gay male footballer in British history with Deeney adamant currently playing the game there are plenty more.
The 31-year-old, who has divorced himself and has two children, believes now is the time for more athletes to come out as gay, suggesting it would be a heavy burden to carry around.
Deeney said with Louis Theroux podcast on BBC’s Grounded: “I ‘d go on record saying there’s probably one gay or two-person in every football team. They ‘re there, they ‘re 100 percent there. I think people who are gay or from that community are very concerned about having to shoulder the responsibility of being the first. I think there would be loads once the first comes out. If he comes out and says it, I think you’d get at least 100 people in the first week who went ‘to me too.’ Just because they don’t want to be the face of it. I think there’s a bigger platform to be a gay athlete of any nature now than ever before. I’m just curious why people end football, basketball, whatever sport it may be, and then go I’m gay. I feel like it must be a real heavy burden to bear across your entire sporting career.”
Australian footballer Andy Brennan revealed in 2019 that he was gay having played for Newcastle Jets in the A-League beforehand.
The announcement was one of relief for Brennan, who declared that he could now fully concentrate on playing football without hiding his sexuality.
