Former Columbus Crew soccer player Matt Pacifici has come out as gay…by introducing the world to his boyfriend.
On January 21, the retired MLS player posted a picture to his Instagram feed of him canoodling with boyfriend Dirk Blanchat. The couple both grew up in Charlotte, NC.
Pacifici had a brief career as a major league soccer player, joining the Crew in 2016. During his first season, however, he sustained a major head injury during a practice session. Unfortunately, the injury would end his professional career.
Related: Pro soccer star Ruben Loftus-Cheek addresses his sexuality on Twitter
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Pacifici also claims the injury forced him to stay in the closet, as he feared coming out would further damage his career. “Playing the part of the straight professional athlete was much more important to me at the time than being true to myself,” he told OutSports.
Now his position has evolved. “When you’re in a relationship that makes you happy, and on social media you see people posting about their girlfriends, it feels weird not being a part of that,” Pacifici says. “You want them to know. This relationship is the one that makes me the most happy ever in my life. The more people who come out, the easier it will be for other people to follow.”
Pacific joins sports figures like Robbie Rogers and Colin Martin in becoming an out-gay soccer player.
Black Pegasus
Another pretentious coming out story by introducing the world to your clone.
geb1966
Another judgy homo who can’t let others have their happiness.
Dwik27
Along with straight bigots – YOU are exactly the reason why so many people remain IN the closet. Lighten up Dorothy.
barkomatic
Uh clone? Do you have vision problems because his boyfriend is about a foot shorter than him with entirely different facial features. Please tell us what defines a “clone” look to you – and then explain even if someone does look similar why that is a bad thing for you?
I’m jealous of young, good looking guys dating each other too but I can step back and appreciate the fact that they are happy.
djmcgamester
Coming out would have cost him his career. This is an unfortunate reality. Too bad people like you have to find the negative in all of this rather than be happy for him. As for announcing it on Instagram, it’s the easiest way to let fans know without a press conference. It also gives hope to gay kids struggling with their sexuality.
JoshGL
You better watch the attutide, Missy.
Karma is real.
BGinBigD
Jealous much, Missy???
Papi2009
Not sure what makes coming out pretentious or his boyfriend a clone. One thing is important here and that is the more people stop thinking they need to be in the closet and come out the more will be their authentic self.
geb1966
And they often feel that way because of pretentious, self-righteous judgy people like the poster above.
CanadianGuy62
He is not a pro soccer player. He has retired from the sport. He is a former pro soccer player. Big difference.
I know the opening paragraph correctly IDs him as a FORMER pro soccer player, but the headline does not and that is VERY misleading.
EZinHTown
Exactly what I was thinking! More clickbait from Queerty, what a shock!
ShowMeGuy
Welcome to Queerty. Misleading headlines are kind of Queerty’s thing.
Donston
It would be nice if male professional athletes felt that they could unabashedly be with and love who they truly want to be with and love… before they retire. It would also be nice if we saw this from some dudes in the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, professional tennis, the upper leagues of soccer. But he is a cute guy.
djmcgamester
There are NFL players that came out, all after retirement. David Kopay, from the San Franciso 49ers, came out in 1975. He apparently had a relationship with another NFL player who never came out.
I’m sure players from other sports have also come out post-retirement. The only reason they don’t do so before retirement because it’s career suicide.
outsports.com is always a great resource to find out more about this topic.
Kangol
Well, a few tried, including Jason Collins. And then there was Michael Sam, who was trashed by quite a few gay people, on here of all places among others, for coming out before playing a single game. It’s going to happen, though. Sooner than we think.
strix1
Well they’re attractive…and they travel the world…that injury must have paid well!!
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
His BF is waaay hot. Good for them. I can’t figure out why we continue to bash our own, when there are millions committed to and actually succeeding in causing deliberate harm to out community
Calin
Love is Happiness!!!!
SparkyMICH
I don’t have a problem with the guy coming out. I have an issue with Queerty and how they portray ‘news’. He is a former pro athlete – be factual in your headlines. If you are not being clear in the facts, then you are sensational journalism. So it’s up to you, Queerty. If you want to be considered a source of news and information, then present your headlines and stories in a factual way. If you want to be a source of sensational journalism, then by all means continue misleading with inaccurate headlines, and I’ll be off to a site I can count on to give me the information factually forward.
ptb2016
I am still waiting for a highly placed, highly paid soccer star to come out. That would be news. Coming out after retirement just shows how lies are common place in the sport for self protection from the bigots both in the game and on the terraces watching.
djmcgamester
There is an out, active soccer player, but I wouldn’t call him highly placed or highly paid. His name is Collin Martin, he plays for Minnesota United.
Anton Hysén, a Swedish footballer, came out in 2011 and continued to play.
Kangol
Justin Fashanu was a highly, placed, highly paid soccer star, even receiving a £1 million transfer fee, played for Premier League teams Manchester City, West Ham, and Brighton and Hove, and came out in 1990.
nm4047
so where is the pro football player? Retired (injured) is like George W still thinking he was (ever) president.
Davidparacka
OMG, I want a soccer player boyfriend, their thighs are awesome! Fat guy available in Little Falls NY!! Cum get me!
@HarryB
Really great
nitejonboy
OMG, he’s F’ING GORGEOUS!! He should do porn.