Women’s football stars praise “brave and brilliant” Jake Daniels after he comes out as gay

The world of football has come together to support Blackpool’s Jake Daniels, who publicly came out as gay earlier this week.

The 17-year-old has an army of fellow professionals, fans, and other celebrities lauding his bravery through an outpouring of positive comments on social media.

Daniels is the first professional male footballer in the UK to come out since Justin Fashanu in 1990, and the support behind him is astronomical.

Prominent figures in the men’s game including Gary Lineker and Harry Kane have applauded the teenager after he made the announcement on Monday, with the help of Blackpool, Sky Sports, and LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.

Daniels has also received huge support from the women’s football community — a place known for its active encouragement of equality in sexuality and gender identity.

One figure who praised Daniels was Chelsea and Denmark star Pernille Harder, who described the Blackpool ace as “brave and brilliant” in a recent tweet.

“Coming out today will be freeing and liberating for you and for football fans around the world who will be inspired to open [up] about their identity too. Huge respect. Wishing you all the very best!”

Jake, you are brave and brilliant. Coming out today will be freeing and liberating for you and for football fans around the world who will be inspired to open about their identity too. Huge respect. Wishing you all the very best! ❤️ https://t.co/hgNEup81M7

Daniels came out to his family the day before Blackpool played Accrington in an Under-18s fixture in January.During the match, he scored four goals.

In his own words, Daniels said he “needn’t have worried” about the reaction he was going to get from his family and friends.

A message from Jake Daniels.