It’s no small secret there are scores of closeted athletes weighing their desire to live openly against the very real professional backlash that can come with coming out, and now one more former pro has revealed he’s gay.
Adam McCabe has been a professional and semi-professional soccer player for teams in England, Thailand and Slovakia. He currently plays for a semi-pro team in the National Premier Soccer League in Atlanta, the Georgia Revolution. And yeah, he also happens to be a model — no big deal.
He’s shared his moving coming out story in an essay on Meanwhiler:
While I was playing soccer at a younger age, I was not out to my teammates. I did not really even think about my sexuality until the end of high school and beginning of college (around 19 years old).
Soccer was the most important thing; it was all that I thought about. I lived, breathed, ate and slept soccer. And I was not going to let anything, like a relationship or my sexuality, get in the way of my goals and dreams.
It’s a struggle that all gay pro athletes face — keep quiet and try to compete to the highest level or your sport, or shine the spotlight on yourself by coming out.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
One potential solution to the problem? Power in numbers.
The chairman of the Football Association in England has been in talks with top-level closeted athletes and is encouraging them to come out as a group, hoping to scatter the spotlight effect and keep the focus on the sport. It’s a nice idea, really.
For McCabe, keeping quiet wasn’t always easy.
The language that is used during practice, in the locker room, and on the pitch is extremely masculine and at times vulgar.
I have heard teammates use homophobic language both in the soccer realm and in daily life. It causes you to really pay attention to your surroundings and debate every action as a closeted athlete.
I was afraid to share my sexuality based off of what I had heard my teammates say. Whether joking or not, these words are cemented in your brain and they shape the way you act towards and around your teammates.
But he says he never quite felt “whole” while hiding part of his identity.
Speaking to Outsports, he said:
I have grown and changed so much since my move back and now I am at a place to help other LGBTQ athletes who may be struggling.
If I can help at least one individual who needs guidance, support, or even a friend to speak with, I’m here.
DDstar1me
Cccchile…everybody seems to be a model these days. Hell, I think I might be a model myself. This man looks like my friend Tobe. Average as all hell.
Well, good for him. Go fight the fight now that things have become easier. All the best. This coming out story is fa da birds. LOL.
He BGB
I thought he looked average, too. Wish a really hot NFL player would come out. Now that would be something to write home about!
ErikO
This guy is a model? He’s not even that good looking and is average at best.
BGinBigD
Hello, jealous idiots, many times what make a model “beautiful” or “striking” is how they photograph, how they move their body to photograph best. Have you not seen many women models out of makeup and on the street in their own clothing. You probably wouldn’t guess they are models.
Give him a break! He’s young and will have plenty of years to deal with jealous queens like yourself. Good luck to you on your journey, Adam!
SumSay
@BGinBigD: They’re a hypercritical bunch. That’s all most commenters on Queerty have to offer, criticism. There are hardly any compliments given. It’s usually just teardowns :/
startenout
He could be such a positive role model (and model) for other young closeted athletes. WHY do you feel the need to tear people down???
grxnt
I have to say that I am proud of him and really wish more athletes would feel safe enough to come out. It’s really pathetic that all we do nowadays is tear people down It’s not anyone else’s business what career Adam chooses and how “attractive” someone is. You don’t even know the guy. Give him a break.
silveroracle
@grxnt: Agreed.
bigrawtop
instagram photos tagged with #instagay go back 45 weeks ago.
Kangol
Good for him, and may more follow his lead. He’s deathly pale, though. Maybe a trip to Ibiza or someplace warm and sunny is in order now that he’s no longer playing soccer.
DarkZephyr
I am with the guys disgusted by the revolting tear downs that are so damned common in the comment section of this site. Plus I think he is gorgeous anyway. Would love to see how hot the a**hole criticizers are.
Aromaeus
I guess the only requirement these days to be a ‘model’ is be white. There is nothing exceptional about his looks or his physique.
rbernard
It is fantastic Adam McCabe, yet another athlete, as come out.
The more athletes that come out, the easier it is for the next one to come out in the alpha male sports business.
As professional athlete in a industry with a fair share of bigots, Adam McCabe risked his career and income and still had the courage to do the right thing.
BTW – I think Adam is sexy, fit, and am sure he and his boyfriend have a good time together.
dollahsign
Whether I like his looks or not, he found a way to demonstrate that gay men are capable of athletic feats, and now he has managed to find a gig as a model. By now we ought to know that models are not all 100% beautiful. I think he looks fine, and wish him well.
NateB79
I think he’s got that wholesome, handsome, guy that you’d be proud to take home to your parents kind of look.
Keebler ILF
When I saw that pic at the top of the page I thought it was the guy who played Beau De Labarre (Stephen Shortridge) from Welcome Back Kotter.
fur_hunter
Now……when a guy comes out who looks like Tom Selleck, Gerard Butler and who could leave out the totally HOT…..Sam Elliot…let me know. I will definitely be wanting to take notice. But unfortunately, I don’t know of any actors, athletes or men in the limelight who look like them.