It may soon be news in rugby when a player is straight...and I'm ok with that

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Old-Redclif...tail/story.html

One retires and another one comes out. Good for him and best of luck.

Kudos to Hooper...a good flanker!


Source

So is anyone keeping count now of active openly gay male athletes who have played professional sports?

Rugby 3
Soccer 2? (one committed suicide)
Baseball 1? (not open to the public while playing)
Hockey 0
Basketball 0
NFL 0
Cricket 1
Swimming and Diving 2

Have I missed anyone? I'm sure I must have missed other sports that are not as widely played or viewed. But then even rugby doesn't even rank very high among USA sports fans.

Otherwise, Rugby wins!

Edit to include one criketeer. Thanks BBC.

As for the NBA and the NFL, well there are former players John Amaechi, Esera Tuaolo and David Kopay.

Current Cricketer Steven Davies came out earlier this year, sportinlife!
Telegraph Article

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think any of them were "active" players of the game when they came out to the public.Thanks. I remember reading about him but had forgotten since I do not follow cricket.

Oh, buddy, I thought that you were referring to their sexual proclivities..."active" or "passive!"

I love being a smart ass sometimes!

I prefer versatility, so sex is the one thing that I will admit to flip-flopping on.

But there is a possible point of contention about Hooper being the third "professional" rugby player to come out while "active" if the Redcliffians are technically amateur.

But Im not sure if their obviously well-organized competitions fit the amateur definition.