England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale pledges to fight homophobia in football in support of gay brother
The Players’ Tribune on August 3, in which he addressed a variety of topics, including the toxicity of social media and the fact that his wife recently suffered a miscarriage.Ramsdale also discussed homophobia in football, mentioning that one of his brothers, Oliver, is openly gay. “Whenever people tell me it’s brave what I’ve done, pursuing this football dream, I just laugh.
Oliver is the real superstar of the family. He’s the brave one,” he shared.He recounted how, only three weeks before Oliver was supposed to start university, he decided to pursue his real dream instead and go to drama school. “So he literally packed up everything and went to London to pursue a totally different life,” Ramsdale said.“But that’s not the bravest thing he’s done,” the football star continued.“That’s not why I admire him.
My brother is gay, and he’s lived his life in an open and authentic way since he went off to school. I’m so proud to say he’s my brother.
I haven’t talked about it before, but with everything going on in football right now, I thought it was important to mention.“Over the years, I’ve probably bit my tongue a few too many times — both in dressing rooms and on social media — whenever I hear homophobic comments or stupid things being said,” the athlete admitted.“And I think maybe my brother has done the same, thinking it would make my life easier.
