Former Premier League midfielder and German international Thomas Hitzlsperger revealed that he’s gay in an interview with German newspaper Die Zeit. This is definitely the most high profile soccer (or football, depending on what part of the world you’re reading this story in) player to ever come out of the closet.
“I’m revealing my homosexuality because I want to promote the discussion of homosexuality among professional athletes.
I think it is a good moment for it. With the upcoming Olympics in Sochi, I think we need more critical voices against campaigns of regimes who don’t tolerate homosexuals.”
Hitzlsperger said in Die Zeit (translates to “The Times” in English)
Hitzlsperger is the first Premier League player and German international to come out. He’s also the most high profile. Hitzlsperger spent most of his Premier League career with Aston Villa, but he also played for West Ham United. Before retiring in September, Hitzlsperger made seven appearances for Everton last season.
American midfielder Robbie Rogers came out about a year ago before immediately retiring. Rogers then changed his mind and joined the LA Galaxy, becoming the first openly gay player on an American professional sports team. Former NBA player Jason Collins came out last spring after the season was over. He was looking to continue his career, but no team was interested in signing him. Search engines queries pertaining to rumors of NFL QB Aaron Rodgers possibly being gay were off-the-charts the past two weeks.
Speculation about the Green Bay Packers QB being a homosexual broke the internet, but on New Year’s Eve Rodgers shot that down saying that he is in fact heterosexual on his radio show.
Anyways, this news about Hitzlsperger coming out is huge. And kudos to him for having the bravery to do so.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also an analyst for multiple news talk radio stations across the country; with regular weekly segments discussing: Illinois, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Bears and Bulls on NBC and Fox Sports Radio. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)