Sawt Falasteen - Former rugby league star in Australia comes out as gay

The 34-year-old Fiji international made more than 150 appearances for the Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels, New Zealand Warriors and England's Hull before finishing his professional career in 2023.

In an emotional interview with broadcaster Channel Nine on Monday, he revealed a struggle with addiction, suicidal thoughts and homelessness while grappling with his sexuality over the past two decades.

"I had three goals in life -- to play in the National Rugby League, to buy my parents a house, and then I wanted to top myself," he said.

"Because I was living in denial. From a young age I know that I'm gay but I went down every other avenue to build up these walls to be someone to escape who I am.

"I still can't believe I'm here talking to you, this is definitely my worst nightmare, but I know if I surrender it's the start to a new life.

"I've been fighting a war within since I was about 15 years old, and it's not sustainable," he added.

Former Manly stalwart Ian Roberts was rugby league's first openly gay player when he came out in 1994 while playing for Australia.

He applauded Evans and offered to support him in his public journey.

"I was in tears watching Kane's interview," he told The Australian newspaper.

"Everything he was saying ... I thought 'this poor kid', I know exactly where he is in his head, what he is going through, the extremes of uncertainty of your own sense of self and your sense of other people."

Evans revealed people had tried to blackmail him during his playing days.

"I've had people try to throw me under the bus, I've had people try to deflect their problems by trying to out me," he said.

"And it just built up a lot of shame, and fear and guilt within myself.

"Now I've spoken about it, I've shattered all those chains. They've lost their power. I feel like coming and speaking to you today, fear, shame, guilt -– all of that, I've cut ties with all that.

"I feel peace within, and I feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders."

Few top-level male sportsmen in Australia have revealed their sexuality.

After Roberts, it was not until 2019 that former A-League player Andy Brennan was the next to come out.

Fellow footballer Josh Cavallo also did so in 2021 and a year later Issac Humphries became the first Australian basketball player to reveal he was gay.

F.AbuShamala--SF-PST