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Rugby League player Keegan Hirst comes out as gay

Batley Bulldogs prop Keegan Hirst becomes the first openly gay player in Rugby League after revealing his homosexuality.

Batley Bulldogs prop Keegan Hirst has become the first professional Rugby League player to come out as gay.

The 27-year-old, who captains the Bulldogs, has admitted that he has battled thoughts about his sexuality for a long period of time before becoming happy to reveal that he is gay.

He told The Mirror: "At first I couldn't even say 'I'm gay' in my head, let alone out loud. Now I feel like I'm letting out a long breath that I've held in for a long time.

"I had a wife and kids. I've been a builder, doorman, worked in factories – I play rugby. I tick every macho box. How could I be gay? I'm from Batley for goodness sake. No one is gay in Batley.

"The only time I felt free of the torment was when I stepped on the rugby pitch. Now I feel free."

Rugby union star Gareth Thomas was the only previous player in the sport to announce that he was gay back in 2009.

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