FOOTBALLER Jake Daniels has received praise from across the Scottish game after coming out as the UK's only openly gay active male professional player.
Seventeen-year-old Daniels, who plays for Blackpool as a forward, is the first professional in the UK men's game to reveal his sexuality while still playing for more than 30 years.
Daniels has been showered with praise from the footballing world and beyond since his brave announcement on Monday with many suggesting it could change attitudes in the sport forever.
And some of those plaudits have come from Scotland with the national team and SPFL both sharing their support on Twitter.
🏳️🌈 Football is for all. Thank you Jake.
— SPFL (@spfl) May 16, 2022
The SPFL said: "Football is for all. Thank you Jake."
The Scotland National Team account meanwhile tweeted: "Incredible courage, Jake. We're all supporting you."
Incredible courage, Jake. We're all supporting you 💪
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) May 16, 2022
Justin Fashanu - who played for Airdrieonians and Hearts during his career - was the last active men's professional footballer in the UK to come out during his playing career after announcing in October 1990 that he was gay.
♦️ We stand with Jake as we stood with Justin 30 years ago. An inspirational young man 👏 https://t.co/1eeaQI3DtE
— Airdrieonians FC (@AirdrieoniansFC) May 16, 2022
And Airdrieonians pledged their support to Daniels saying he was "inspirational".
The North Lanarkshire club said: "We stand with Jake as we stood with Justin 30 years ago. An inspirational young man."
Scottish politicians have stood in solidarity with Daniels as well, with many hoping it will make other players feel more confident in coming out.
Livingston MP Hannah Bardell said: "Huge respect and love to Jake, he will no doubt pave the way for many more gay men in football, helping it to become the inclusive game we all know it can be."
Adelaide United player Josh Cavallo is the only current openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world, having come out last October.
In a statement, Daniels said he had known he was gay for a long time and had been hiding his real self.
He said: "I’ve known my whole life that I’m gay, and I now feel that I’m ready to come out and be myself.
"It’s a step into the unknown being one of the first footballers in this country to reveal my sexuality, but I’ve been inspired by Josh Cavallo, Matt Morton, and athletes from other sports, like Tom Daley, to have the courage and determination to drive change."
