Well Played To The Hammer

For some time now I've been thinking to my self when will professional players or ex footballers in England, admit to being gay? It's happened in basketball, rugby and other sports We all think that they are gay footballers in Britain, so why are they coming not coming out and admitting it? We live in the 21st Century where being gay is acceptable whether we agree with it or not, it's not our business, people can live their how they want. For me this lifestyle goes against my faith so I don't agree with it but what ex German international Thomas Hitzleperger did last week, I have to salute him and give my respects. To go public is probably the most brave and horrendous thing to do and for that I have to pay my dues to the ex Aston Villa and Everton midfielder. Who is known to us (the footballing community and English fans) as the "The Hammer" for his thunderous strikes.

Thomas Hitzleberger is the first player since Justin Fashanu in 1990 to come out and admit to being gay. To be fair Hitlzeperger is lucky to have done in this modern area where homosexuality is accepted in society but that wasn't the case for ex Norwitch and Nottingham Forrest striker Justin Fashanu who was mobbed by fans, and even his manager at Nottingham Forrest, legend Brian Clough. I read Clough's biography and felt sick as he admitted to mickey taking and not taking Justin's issue serious, which haunted Justin's life and resulted him to loosing his life by committing suicide. I pray Hitlzeperger doesn't take the same route as the footballing family have accepted it and are chosen to support him. Which I'm happy about because homophobia, being prejudice and mickey taking because of someones sexuality is wrong whether its on the football field or in the world.

Whether I or anyone agrees with homosexuality is not the issue, as its our life and we live it how we want to. But what Fashanu and Hitzleperger have done is heroic and given gay people hope and inspiration that you should be free in who you are and to be true to yourself and come as you are. In my opinion this won't be an issue in the footballing world some ignorant fans may have banter at the Germans expense who represented Germany 52 times. But football is about having the talent and determination to succeed on the field, it's not about colour, race, sexuality or your upbringing. Football is the greatest sport in the world because it bring people together no matter who they are, lets not destroy that image of the beautiful game because of someones lifestyle by being ignorant. I just hope it doesn't take another 24 year for someone to come out again.