....if a current or former Hull FC great player decided to come out as being gay?



Gareth Thomas has just come out, and in his interview with the BBC he said that



[i"It's pretty tough for me being the only international rugby player prepared to break the taboo.

"Statistically I can't be the only one, but I'm not aware of any other gay player still in the game.[/i



It got me thinking that the same must apply in RL.

In Hull most RL players are perceived as being role models for kids. Would the fact they are gay alter your opinion of what kind of example they were setting as a role model within the community and especially what message they were sending your kids?



Would you think it matters at all in this day and age?

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest. Why would it?

I'd feel absolutely nothing, it makes not a jot of difference in my book.



In fact having read the article on BBC Sport it is quite depressing that a bloke can't be who he is and has to suffer so much emotional anguish because he feels he won't be accepted as a gay man.

Could not care less. In fact, we might get some better groomed players to look at, so bring it on.

What they said. ^ (apart from the oggling better groomed players bit)

Couldn't care less TBH, good on him for it.

It's a sad state of affairs when a man feels he needs to hide this sort of thing. Be interesting to see his team mates reactions though, I'm sure publicly they'll be supportive but behind the scenes is a different matter.

Coming out didn't seem to do Ian Roberts any harm, although it's a shame he felt the need to wait so long before doing so.



An interesting article from [url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/greedy-clubs-tell-gay-players-to-keep-quiet-about-sexuality-473885.htmlThe Independent[/url would seem to suggest that it's not just the fear of colleagues'/fans' reaction but there may also be some encouragement from clubs, in order to preserve "their assets"

Not an issue for me at all

I can think of a few players that were rumoured to be gay like Tim Wilby,Paul Eastwood but it was never proved.The only one i can remember playing who admitted he was gay was Ian Roberts of wigan.As long as you got the talent your gender should not be a issue in this day and age.

[url=http://diversitybay.tripod.com/news_oz/page7.htmlYOU MEAN THIS IAN ROBERTS[/url.



Reading those articles it sounds as though he'd have been better staying in the closet.

Craig Hall .

i heard fielden was gay when he played for bradford... don't know/don't care



i would have signed him at hull in a flash, he was class back then...