BBC correspondent and grassroots football (soccer) player from the UK, Richie Anderson, has been working on a project to spread awareness on homophobia within his sport.
What his teammates simply thought was a report on grassroots football, turned into a serious conversation about homophobia among the team. The way Anderson did this was by leaving it all out there and coming out as a gay man to his teammates. The teammates, although surprised, were incredibly supportive.
When Anderson shares with them as he chokes up:
One of the big issues that we’ve looked this week. Sorry. It’s really close to my heart–it’s homophobia in football. And the reason why that means a lot to me is I’m a gay footballer. I just wanted to be open and honest because with you lot it’s just been class. This is really hard for me to do now.
The room bursts into applause, commending Anderson for his strength to be honest in a room full of his peers. He receives praise for having the courage to come out to as a teammate for a sport that sees a great deal of homophobia in and off the field.
Congratulations, Richie! Now hit the showers!
Here’s the video:
