American pro wrestler Darren Young is the latest high-profile athlete to announce that he is gay after coming out to a papparazo during an impromptu interview. When asked by a TMZ photographer early Thursday morning whether a gay wrestler could be successful within the World Wrestling Entertainment community, Young responded quickly. "Absolutely! Look at me," Young tells the photographer. "I'm a WWE Superstar and to be honest with you … I'll tell you right now that I'm gay."
Along with footballer Robbie Rogers and veteran NBA player Jason Collins, New Jersey native Young, 29, is joining a tiny group of male American sports stars who have openly discussed being gay and the career risks involved with coming out in professional sports. Rogers has since said that football culture has impeded other athletes from coming out, while Collins remains a free agent.
For its part, WWE released a statement Thursday: "WWE is proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality, and we will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar."
