A global journey…
Graeme Le Saux has been all over the media recently, offering his thoughts about the (inaccurate) gay taunts he endured through his career. Mostly to sell his new book. But his thoughts are still valid as he's one of the very few footballers with first hand experience of the subject. So it was interesting to hear his answer to this question in a recent Guardian interview:
If a gay player told you he was thinking of coming out, what would you say? Embarassingly for me, I'd say: "Don't." It's going to take a really strong individual to deal with that baggage. It would be difficult, but until it happens we'll never know. Maybe they'd be welcomed with open arms, but I doubt it.
This got me thinking about the type of player it would take to reverse the homophobia in football. It would have to be a top class player with a big reputation, and balls of steel. Seriously. It would take big enough balls to come out in the first place. Then balls of steel to deal with the inevitable taunting, to not crack under the pressure. The media attention would be massive and to keep performing in the Premiership at such a time would be crucial, to prove that coming out doesn't destroy your career.
Think of how David Beckham turned things around after being vilified post France '98. He went from being taunted everywhere he went to being England's hero and captain. Think of Cristiano ronaldo too. After Germany '06 he was also hated in England, but he won over most people with a brilliant season in 2006/7.
That's why I think it would need a top, top player. A Rooney, or a prime era Beckham, or a Gerrard or similar. Someone who can change the bigots minds with fantastic performances. Someone who is important to the success of the national team, and regularly turning in impressive displays for their club. Scoring while they're being taunted.
The problem is that someone who's reached such heights has a lot to lose, career wise. Which means that whichever player eventually breaks the big Premiership taboo will need the biggest balls ever in the history of football.
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