Justin Fashanu

ABOUT JUSTIN FASHANU

Late English soccer player for clubs like Torquay United who tragically committed suicide in May 1998. He was considered a pioneer by gay rights groups for being the first professional English soccer player to publicly come out as gay during his career.

He was an excellent young boxer who contemplated a career in boxing rather than soccer.

He was the first black soccer player in history to command a transfer fee of £1 million or more.

His brother, John, was a former soccer player most famous for his eight-year stint with Wimbledon FC. He committed suicide at the age of 37.

In 2013, Robbie Rogers followed in his footsteps by becoming just the second English soccer player to publicly come out as gay.