Rugby Union and Rugby League legend Gareth Thomas stunned the sporting world in December 2009 by revealing that he was gay, despite having been married with kids. Unlike Hitzlsperger and Amaechi, Thomas didn't wait until he was out of the game before coming out, where he played for Cardiff Blues and then switched code and played for the Celtic Crusaders in Rugby League in 2010, before announcing his retirement from the game in 2011. The Welshman also stood up and said:
"Just because you are gay, it doesn't mean you fancy every man who walks the planet, "I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player first and foremost. I am a man." (Daily Mail)
Thomas has since went on to appear on reality shows such as Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing on Ice, raising questions as to whether he used his sexuality as a way of gaining fame after retirement. None the less, he is still one of the most respected players of the game this generation and is still looked up to by rugby fans and other athletes that have came out since.
Joseph is a sports journalist, who has previously worked for Sky Sports News, Soccer Saturday, UEFA's coverage of the Champions League and Europa League and The London 2012 Olympic Games, as well as football clubs such as FC Halifax Town, Corby Town and Crystal Palace FC.
