Life

Professional football player Collin Martin comes out as gay

By Matt Moore

30th June 2018

YouTube

Martin is currently the only openly gay football player still playing professionally.

Professional footballer Collin Martin has publicly come out as gay. Martin, who plays midfield for Minnesota United made the announcement on social media ahead of his team’s Pride night.

Writing on Twitter, Martin said: “Tonight my team, @MNUFC, is having their Pride night. It’s an important night for me — I’ll be announcing that I am an openly gay player in Major League Soccer. #soccerforall”

He further said in the message: “I have been out as a gay man for many years to my family and friends, and this includes my teammates.

“I have played Major League Soccer for 6 seasons: 4 seasons with DC United and 2 seasons with Minnesota United. Today, I’m proud that my entire team and the management of Minnesota United know that I am gay.

“I have received only kindness and acceptance from everyone in Major League Soccer and that has made the decision to come out publicly that much easier.

“As we celebrate Pride night, I want to thank my teammates for their unconditional support for who I am. In light of my experience as a professional athlete, I want to take this moment to encourage others who play sports professionally or otherwise to have confidence that sport will welcome them wholeheartedly.

“June is Pride month, and I am proud to be playing for Pride, and to be playing as an out gay man.”

Martin also posted a picture of himself draped in a Pride flag alongside the message.

With his announcement, Martin is currently the only openly gay football player playing professionally. In 2013, Robbie Rogers came out as gay after being released from Leeds United. He went on to play for LA Galaxy until he retired last year.

Related: Gay footballer Liam Davis says players shouldn’t overthink coming out