Words cannot describe the respect and admiration I have for Jake Daniels.īeing comfortable in your own skin, on and off the pitch, is the key to living your best life. “This is an opportunity for everyone involved in football – from the players to the fans in the stands – to support Jake and show that football is everyone’s game,” she said. Ward said that society is now “moving towards a world where players can openly live as their true self, both on the pitch” which is “something we can all be proud of”. “Football is ready for the moment, and we believe it has been for a while,” Ward said. He added that the LGBTQ+ charity was also “heartening” to hear of Daniels receiving “solidarity and support” from Blackpool FC and their peers. Stonewall’s director of programs Liz Ward said Daniels needed “incredible courage” to come out publicly as “the UK’s first openly gay professional footballer in nearly 30 years”. Countless LGBTQ+ advocates, fans and football organizations have praised Jake Daniels for his decision to share his truth with the world.