FORMER ALL BLACKS RUGBY PLAYER COMES OUT AS GAY

Former All Blacks player Campbell Johnstone, who played rugby in New Zealand, has come out as gay.

“If I can be the first All Black that comes out as gay and take away the pressure and the stigma surrounding that whole issue, then it can actually help other people,” Johnstone said to OutSports.

Johnstone spent many years as a professional rugby player, and in 2005, he made three appearances for the All Blacks, the most well-known and recognized team in all of New Zealand’s sports.

Over the years, there have been a handful of gay rugby stars. In 1995, Australian rugby player Ian Roberts became one of the first active gay professional athletes in the world. Wales’ Gareth Thomas made his debut in British rugby more than 10 years ago.