A year after coming out publicly, PD Savage, 36, is honest about something many queer people quietly understand: coming out doesn’t magically untangle years of internalized fear.
The former Gaelic footballer and CrossFit champion has been reflecting on his sexuality and sense of self in interviews and on social media, admitting that self-acceptance is still a work in progress. Appearing on RTÉ’s Sundays with Miriam, Savage revealed that even preparing for the interview stirred difficult emotions.
“There are moments when the words still feel difficult to say,” he shared, explaining that naming his sexuality out loud can still carry weight. It wasn’t about shame in the present, but the echo of a past where being openly gay didn’t feel possible.
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Leaving the Game That Shaped Him
Savage grew up playing Gaelic football in rural County Down, Northern Ireland, and once played for Liatroim Fontenoys. But at 25, he made the difficult decision to step away from the sport altogether, later transitioning into CrossFit — a move that allowed him more space to understand who he was.
That decision, however, wasn’t clean or easy. Pinned to the top of his social media is an article about leaving Gaelic football, accompanied by a caption that captures the emotional nuance perfectly. “I don’t regret it, but I do miss it,” Savage wrote, describing the Gaelic Athletic Association as an organization that gave him not just sport, but community. He added that he’s proud to have been part of it and proud to have it “deep in my roots.”
For a long time, he believed he might return to the game one day. But, as he put it plainly, CrossFit has him now.
Why Visibility in Sport Still Matters
During the interview, Savage also spoke about the broader culture of sport and the lingering stereotypes surrounding gay athletes. He pointed out that visibility — especially for men — remains essential in breaking down outdated ideas of masculinity.
“People still have stereotypes of what being gay is,” he said, stressing that LGBTQ+ people exist across every sport, background, and community. Seeing openly queer athletes compete at the highest levels, he explained, makes it easier for others to imagine a future where they don’t have to choose between authenticity and ambition.
When Fiction Hits Close to Home
That sense of recognition isn’t limited to real-life athletes. Savage has also spoken openly about how queer sports stories in pop culture have affected him — particularly the hockey drama Heated Rivalry.
He shared the now widely discussed scene where Scott Hunter calls Kip Grady onto the ice in front of a full stadium, writing that it stirred emotions he hadn’t expected.
“I haven’t shared much on here since coming out over a year ago as it felt like something I needed to do, then live,” he wrote. “This scene in particular hit hard. It brought up what could have been, rather than loneliness or resentment.”
Still, the takeaway wasn’t regret. “I’m grateful I get to choose differently now,” he added, praising the show for bringing joyful, affirming queer representation into the mainstream.
Choosing Differently, Moving Forward
Savage also reflected on the challenges of growing up gay in rural Northern Ireland, noting that he understands why many LGBTQ+ people leave home to find themselves elsewhere. Staying close to the places and people tied to earlier pain, he said, can make healing harder.
Yet his story isn’t about bitterness or blame. It’s about honesty — about acknowledging loss without denying growth. Savage isn’t erasing his past or rejecting the sport that shaped him. He’s learning how to hold pride, grief, gratitude, and self-acceptance at the same time.
And a year after coming out, that quiet, ongoing work may be the most relatable part of his journey yet.