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Major League Soccer player Collin Martin comes out as gay

The 23-year-old Minnesota United soccer came out last night (June 29)

By Fabio Crispim

Professional soccer Collin Martin has come out as gay. 

The 23-year-old came out in a Tweet ahead of Minnesota United’s Pride match in support of the LGBT community last night (June 29) against FC Dallas. In the tweet, Martin shared a photo of himself wrapped in a Pride flag alongside a statement. 

It read: “Today, I’m proud that my entire team and the management of Minnesota United known that I am gay.

“I have received only kindness and acceptance from everyone in Major League Soccer and that has made the decision to come out gay publicly that much easier.”

He continued: “I want to take this moment t encourage others who play sports professionally or otherwise to have the confidence that sport will welcome them wholeheartedly.

“June is Pride month, and I am proud to be playing for Pride, and to be playing as an out gay man.”

Shortly after Martin came out, MLS (Major League Soccer) Commissioner Don Garber said: “We admire Collin’s courage, and are proud of him and of the support from the soccer community.” 

Since coming out, Martin has become the second-ever player to come out during a Major League Soccer career and is currently the only openly gay MLS player.