Keegan Hirst moved by support after coming out

Batley Bulldogs star Keegan Hirst has thanked the rugby league community for the way that they showed him support after he came out as gay at the weekend.

The player’s situation was revealed in a Sunday Mirror interview over the weekend, and Hirst was delighted with the way that the fans at his team’s game with Dewsbury reacted, as well with the wider reaction on social media.

“It’s been a really positive and humbling thing,” he told the Daily Mirror.

“I’ve had people coming up to me all day telling me how brave I’ve been and how I’ve done well and they’re proud of me.

“Twitter and Facebook have gone through the roof – it’s been mad. The reaction has been a lot bigger than I expected, but in a good way.

“Everyone has been really sound and the most refreshing thing was I didn’t get any s*** off any of the Dewsbury lads so that was really good.

“I’m just glad that everyone knows the truth now. I can’t thank everyone enough. They’ve been amazing.”