Former Manchester United and French international football player Patrice Evra has bravely opened up about his sexual assault on the BBC show Freeze the Fear. Patrice is taking part in the show where celebrities are tested to their limits in freezing cold conditions.
During the episode, Patrice spoke about how he was sexually assaulted when he was just 13 and fans took to Twitter to show their support for the 40-year-old. On the show he said: “Being sexually abused at the age of 13 had a massive impact on my life. You just feel shame about yourself... you just don't trust anybody else."
Patrice went on to explain how after the assault he ended up begging on the streets and selling drugs to survive. He said: “Begging in front of the shop that for me, that was like normal. Sometimes even at midnight when they throw the cold big macs, we were like going on the bin and eating all those cold big macs."
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Crediting football as what "saved" him and he went on to become both Manchester United's and the French national team's captain. He said:
"The football saved me. When I was 17 I travelled in Italy, I remember when we arrived and we were sitting all the time and they were serving us food and I get in my room. And I had a tracksuit, I wear the tracksuit and I call my mum and say ‘Mum, here is like heaven, people serving us food, it's like two forks in one side, two knives in one side. That's my best memory."
Many fans took to Twitter to show their support for Patrice, calling him an inspiration. One said: "Unbelievable performance on freeze the fear. Inspirational guy."
Also: "@Evra you are a legend, just watched you on Freeze the Fear, not just a great footballer but a fantastic human being."
Another added: "@Evra Patrice, watching you on Freeze the Fear, you are a strong man, your honesty with your team mates, Sir you have my respect."
A third said: "'@Evra on Freeze the Fear. What a guy" followed by a red love heart emoji.
And: "@Evra Freeze the Fear-thank you for sharing your story" followed by clapping emojis.
