New Zealand rugby star Campbell Johnstone has become the first All Black to come out as gay after admitting to “living a double life” while playing.
The former rugby union star, 43, fulfilled his dream by playing three Test matches for his country, including two against the British and Irish Lions. Known as being a powerhouse prop Johnstone played over 100 times for French side Biarritz while also having a brief spell in 2012 with the Ospreys.
Johnstone came out as gay on the TVNZ’s Seven Sharpe show on Monday night and hopes to take the pressure away from others in a similar situation.
He said: “If I can be the first All Black that comes out as gay and take away the pressure and stigma surrounding the issue it can actually help other people.
“Then the public will know that there is one in amongst the All Blacks and it could be one of the final pieces in the puzzle sports-wise that gives everyone closure.”
The tighthead prop said that his perception of what an All Black should be like made it hard for him to come out as gay during his playing career and led to him ‘living a double life’.
He added: “Within myself, I was never comfortable with the whole concept and my dream was to be an All Black.
“My view of an All Black was manly, strong, possibly with a wife and kids. It would come to the surface when I may have had a bad game and I would look at that side of me and blame that side for it.
“It slowly starts to affect you and it’s hard living a double life or living a lie. We had a phrase in rugby saying after a game if you could look yourself in the mirror and be honest with yourself then you’ve done enough and here I was looking in the mirror having not been honest with my teammates.”
Johnstone was open with his family over his sexuality and admitted that they were not surprised when he came out as gay.
He added: “I did that a long time ago. It was pretty much like telling them I just ran out of milk, one of them was like: “Yeah it’s about time.”
New Zealand Rugby have praised Johnstone for making the television appearance stating that he will ‘pave the way for others’.
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In a statement on social media New Zealand CEO Mark Robison said: “Your strength and visibility will pave the way for others in our game. Rugby is a sport that is welcoming to everyone and a place where people should feel safe to be who they are.
“We know that there are people who have not always been comfortable to be who they are in rugby. We want to be clear, no matter who you love, rugby has your back.”
