In a revealing, heartwrenching 15-minute video interview with the Telegraph, 24 year old English cricket player Steven Davies announces he’s gay.
“I’m comfortable with who I am – and happy to say who I am in public,” the former English U-19 team captain said.
The announcement is the end of a long process. Davies – who was inspired after Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas came out two years ago – began telling his English teammates after being called up for the Ashes Tour.
He received support from the group and made the decision to tell the public. At least one commentator believes the larger cricketing community will accept the news.
There’s also a sporting advantage to Davies coming out.He told the Telegraph that he feels his announcement will make him a better player.
“When you are a professional sportsman you have to be 100 per cent in the moment, and I know that I played many years of 90 per cent in the moment and 10 percent listening to the crowd. That’s why it’s good for young sports people to come out early and be the best they possibly can through their career. There comes a point where you think that the whole world is against you, and then you say to yourself – I can carry on in this dark little world or I can be honest with everybody and live the life I want.”
It’s hard to argue with that logic. Hopefully, Davies and his uncluttered mind will find success in sport. At the very least, he’s finding success in life.