Jed Hooper, 22, is the captain of the UK’s Old Redcliffians rugby team. And he just came out! Hooper, who is a sexy little bloke,decided to come out after the guy he’s with said he couldn’t date someone in the closet.
“I met someone earlier this year who said he could not be with someone who was in the closet. That, basically, was the catalyst that I needed. Before that, I think I had already told about ten friends and their reaction was very positive so that gave me an inkling of what might happen. And I also thought if the crap really hits the fan then at least there are ten people on my side!”
Hooper than came out to everyone he knew via text and Facebook. He anticipated perhaps being asked to step down as captain, but his team is supporting him completely.
“No punches were pulled with questions from the rugby lads, that’s for sure. I can’t repeat some of the things I was asked, but I’ve always been someone who has been at the centre of any banter flying around, and the only thing that’s changed is the type of banter.”
As it should be! Does anyone else find coming-out stories like this as heart-warming as I do? When all the straight tough guys find out their tough guy friend or teammate likes the D and they embrace him?? Or is that warm feeling I’m experiencing from looking at these pics of Jed looking sexy-tough and totally doable?
Hooper is the second pro athlete in the UK to come out. Retired rugby player Gareth Thomas preceded him. Pro-Gay Athletics In Britain: They’re Doing It Better.
– J. Harvey
For more shots of Jed, Follow the JUMP:
Thomas just retired, like this week, and Hooper came out. Is there a quota for active out rugby player? LOL
i guess Britian is MORE open and all, like their society will NOT fall apart if Pro Athletes come out, and in the sport of rugby, which has NO equsal here in the US(no american football does NOT come close)
LOL at not being able to repeat the questions asked. Hows dick feel? Do you take it? Does it hurt?
He has a twink thing about him so he’s not really my type (though I’m with someone who weighs 145 and has no muscle what so ever…funny how that happens) but this is heart warming. Makes me smile.
The text message/fb thing is a little odd though. Does EVERYONE need personal notice?
mmmm another hot, out, gay rugger.
Well done Hooper, I hope you get lots of support. I always knew rugby players had a gay side to them. Good luck and all the best
adorable:-)
i am proud of him and i came out at the ripe old age of 48 and it was like the biggest load was takem off from my shoulders. It hasn’t been easy at times but being honest with myself first and then others after was the best thing I ever did.
Not sure how I feel about him coming out because a guy he’s been seeing for less than a year gave him an ultimatum…
I don’t think using the word ultimatum here is quite accurate, at least from the quote shown. He said he came out because the guy he was with let him know that he couldn’t be with someone who wasn’t out. A lot of people go through a bit of an ordeal to be out and proud and many realize that once they are out, being with someone who isn’t may be damaging to the strides that they made for themselves.
It seems to me that this guy was being honest with Jed, letting him know this, not telling him come out or else. Saying ‘I need to be with someone who is out’ is different than saying ‘Come out or I will leave you’. The former is honesty to anyone who the person may be dating regardless of who specifically that is, the latter is a personally directed ultimatum to the other in the relationship. This seems like an instance of the former.
There is no way of explaining to those that are in the closet how big of a load is taken off of your shoulders when you come out. I expected the load to feel lighter, but I had no idea how much better I would feel after doing it. When you’re living that double life in the closet for so long, you get used to it. Then when it’s finally gone, it’s like “how did I ever manage that for so many years?” Hands down, the best decision I’ve ever made.
you are so right. i was close to suicide living life as if I were straight. I am the same person, same personality, but I am now proud to be who I really am. Thanks for your support. I really appreciated what you said and if it helps one person realize how much happier they will be living the truth then we did good.
well now he mentions it…he does look a bit gayface. But congrats. That said I dont buy that everybody in rugby is honky dory about it. They may well pretend to be but they will view him differently for sure.
I just finished reading John Amaechi’s bio and the NBA is just as bad. Just goes to show how behind the times America is when it comes to sexuality and how overall prudish when it comes to sex.
Good on him and even more good on his partner for not enabling his closeted life. The fear we all have of coming out is always worse than the reality and far worse than living an open, authentic life that empowers you.
I think he should keep the scruff on his face….
I get where you’re coming from but telling someone right off the bat is being honest. Months later seems like an ultimatum.