Campbell Johnstone, the first All Blacks to admit to being gay: “It’s hard to live a lie”

The world of rugby woke up to learn that for the first time an All Blacks player (New Zealand team) has publicly announced that he is gay. This is Campbell Johnstone, a 43-year-old former rugby player.

He developed a great career as a left prop, which saw him defend the shirt for one of the most important teams in rugby history on three occasions, but now he’s made headlines in outside the field. And it is that his statement caused a great impact.

“If I can be the first All Black to come out as gay and remove the pressure and stigma around it, I can actually help other people.” he confessed in an interview with the program Seven Sharp, on the television channel TVNZ.

The former player also opened up about the stereotypes he had to live with during his time in professional rugby, highlighting how complex it can be to have to suppress feelings. “YouHe must have been virile, strong, perhaps with a wife and children. I pushed that side of me deeper and deeper. I’ve been to interesting places with (…) It’s hard to live a double life, or to live a lie “, he added before mentioning that he has confidence that this can allow “open the door to anyone who has difficulty in this space ”.

An announcement that aroused great support in New Zealand. In fact, one of the first to react to the interview was National Team Manager Mark Robinson. “We know there are people who haven’t always felt comfortable being who they are in rugby. We want to be clear, no matter who you love, rugby has your back. It’s a sport that welcomes everyone and a space where people need to feel safe to be who they are.” he posted on Twitter.