Gary Lineker has hailed the brave decision taken by Blackpool forward Jake Daniels to come out as gay and says his decision will encourage others to follow his path.
Daniels, 17, has become the UK’s first openly gay professional footballer in over 30 years after Justin Fashanu came out in 1990. The teenager revealed his sexuality publicly on Monday and said he felt “relief” to come out to the world, having already opened up to his family and team-mates.
And Lineker praised the youngster’s courage for being a trailblazer for others to be inspired by, predicting that he will be embraced by his fellow professionals following his announcement: ”I think he will be massively accepted," Lineker told BBC Sport. "Not just in his own dressing room but players he plays against. I think, overall, dressing rooms wouldn't think about it. They will consider if you're a good footballer or not. That's all that matters.
