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Jake Daniels, the vibrant teenage soccer sensation, is not just making waves with his deft footwork but also with his courage and leadership both on and off the pitch. At just 17 years old, Daniels made headlines not merely for his athletic prowess but for his groundbreaking decision to come out as gay, becoming the first active male professional soccer player in England to do so in over three decades. This week, his career hit another high note as he re-signed with Blackpool FC, following an impressive loan spell at Bradford Park Avenue, Queerty reports.
Despite Bradford Park Avenue’s struggles in Britain’s seventh tier, Daniels’s performance was a singular beacon of excellence. Scoring four goals and providing six assists in just 13 games, Daniels shone brightly in a season that otherwise saw the club relegated. His outstanding contributions earned him the Northern Premier League’s goal-of-the-month award in February and Man of the Match honors in March. This led to a well-deserved 12-month contract extension with Blackpool FC, as announced with pride by his agency, Astra Partners, on Instagram.
Expressing his gratitude, Daniels shared on Instagram, “Massively grateful to have had the opportunity to play at Bradford PA. Couldn’t have asked for a more amazing few months with a class group and amazing fans. Happy to have contributed what I could and to have scored 4 and assisted 6 in a short time is a step in the right direction.”
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Daniels’s journey is a powerful narrative of triumph and visibility in a sport that has seen few openly gay players. His coming out was met with a wave of support, receiving over 20,000 messages, including accolades from British luminaries such as Elton John, Tom Daley, and Prince William. This overwhelming support highlights the shifting attitudes within the world of sports and beyond, towards greater acceptance and inclusivity.
Reflecting on the impact of his announcement, Daniels noted to Daily Star, “I think the best thing for me was seeing people’s parents saying like ‘my son or my daughter has just come out to me’ and it was amazing to see those messages was great. Around football, I am seeing a lot more pride flags being flown, I am seeing changes, people will now be banned from grounds for saying anti-LGBTQ stuff onto the pitch. There is definitely change.”
As Daniels gears up for another season with Blackpool FC, his story remains an inspiring narrative for young LGBTQ+ athletes around the world. It’s not just about scoring goals or winning matches; it’s about breaking barriers and setting new standards of inclusion and respect in sports. Here’s to seeing more of his dynamic talent in the coming seasons and the continued positive impact he is bound to have on the world of soccer.
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