One former Hull City youth team player announces he is gay, becoming the fourth male professional footballer who has played in the UK to come out.
The others to have done so are the late Justin Fashanu, former Aston Villa player Thomas Hitzlsperger and ex-Leeds player Robbie Rogers.
The latest to come out gay man is attacking midfielder Thomas Beattie, who admitted he did not feel comfortable coming out during his professional career.
It’s time to share my truth. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. I appreciate you https://t.co/KC7UVazSfx
— Thomas Beattie (@IamTomBeattie) June 23, 2020
Beattie, who is from Goole in Yorkshire, played for the Championship side’s youth team before playing professionally for more than 10 years in the United States, Canada and Singapore.
He showed a lot of promise in various sports and education from a young age, competing in track and field, swimming, tennis and football before getting scouted at the age of 9 years old for Hull Leeds and Blackburn before subsequently signing for the Tigers.
He is now aged 33 and living in Singapore exploring business ventures.
Life after football saw him take up being an entrepreneur as well as doing some modelling for various brands and products, and also naturally progressed into football punditry.
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Beattie told Advocate: “I never thought about coming out whilst playing.
“I literally felt like I had to sacrifice one of the two: who I am, or the sport I loved before I could remember.
“I used football as a form of escapism and in many ways it saved me, until I reached the point in life where there was some personal growth. I was standing still on that front. Society [told] me masculinity is linked to sexuality and so being an athlete playing a physical sport felt like a huge contradiction.’
Beattie moved to America aged 19 after his youth career with Hull, and played in the US on a football scholarship.
He is also only the second professional male football player – after Fashanu in 1990 – from the UK to come out and says he is still coming to terms with it.
“It’s still a new and current process for me to be honest,’ he says of coming out. ‘I told close friends and family three months ago, which was when I decided to embark on the journey of speaking openly about it.
“As an athlete it was something that was unspoken about, which is why I want to share my story in hopes that there will eventually be more support for people in a similar situation.
“I recently started to tell some of my old team mates who have been amazing and treated me not a single ounce differently. They know I’m the same lad I was 10 minutes before telling them so that’s been refreshing.”
THOMAS BEATTIE’S PLAYING CAREER:
Youth career
– Hull City
– Limestone College
Senior career
2008–2009 – Forest City London – 38 games (7 goals)
2010–2011 – London City – 49 games (15 goals)
2012–2013 – Ottawa Fury – 23 games (3 goals)
2013–2014 – Hougang United – 23 games (5 goals)
2014–2015 – Warriors – 31 games (4 goals)
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Watford captain Troy Deeney said as recently as last week that he believes there is ‘probably one gay player in every football team.’
Talking on the BBC Podcast, grounded with Louis Theroux, the 31-year-old said: “I would go on record saying that there is probably one gay or bi person in every football team. They’re there, they are 100% there.
“I think people that are gay or from that community definitely are very worried about having to shoulder the responsibility of being the first. I think once the first comes out, there would be loads.”
Fans praise former Hull City youth player Thomas Beattie after he announces he is gay…
Great story and thank you for sharing it. Wish you all the best in life, lots of happiness surrounded by people who love you for who you are ????
— Costi Pușcașu (@costi_puscasu) June 24, 2020
Thank you For Sharing you Story It’s A Shame in this day and age That This is still a Issue Stay Strong ?
— lee hunt (@leehunt4) June 23, 2020
Fair play to you. Just be yourself no matter what environment you’re in ??
— Burney (@BurneyFootball) June 23, 2020
I read your story on ESPN and am so happy for you! I worked in Singapore in my late 20’s, and it also played a major role in my personal journey. If you ever make it back to Ottawa, I’d enjoy grabbing a beer with you.
— Eddie Chow (@EdSoxFan13) June 24, 2020
Enjoyed reading your story. Inspiring! Keep up the good work dude.
— ?️?مخدوم بیعنایت (@makhduum) June 24, 2020
This takes tremendous bravery! Thanks so much for sharing your story and for being a positive role model. You will help pave the way for many.
— Oliver Holmes (@OliJHolmes) June 23, 2020
Solidarity with you Tom.
— Zammo’sWrap (@zammoswrap) June 23, 2020
Nice one Tom. Now hopefully you can live your true life without fear or anxiety ?
— Paul Coull (@Coullio) June 23, 2020
Thank you for sharing your story Tom. It is sure to help a lot of people all over the world! ❤
— Tom Carr (@ItsMeTomC) June 23, 2020
BRAVO Thomas ! I just wanted to comment that you may or may not realise the impact you have worldwide right now. But millions of men and women, young and not so young read your story and are cheering you on. THANK YOU!
— JCourt (@jpcourt) June 23, 2020
Good for you enjoy life we’re here once x
— neilbutler (@velour1) June 23, 2020
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