‘This will help others’: Rugby league community reacts to Kane Evans coming out as gay

The NRL has lauded the courage of Kane Evans for coming out as gay, believing his stance will prompt important conversations that will assist others struggling with their sexuality.

Evans - a Fijian international who played for NRL clubs the Roosters, Eels and Warriors - detailed his struggles with alcohol, substance addiction and suicidal thoughts while wrestling with his sexuality during an emotional interview aired on Channel Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday night.

The 34-year-old became just the second male player to publicly come out as gay in professional Australian rugby league, and the first to do so since pioneering former NSW Origin and Kangaroos star Ian Roberts 31 years ago.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo praised Evans for having the courage to share his struggles.

“You have to admire and respect Kane for being brave and telling his story, being comfortable to do that,” Abdo said.

“Hopefully that helps him as a human being and inspires others as well. I’m sure there are plenty of people that will feel more comfortable to have those conversations because they have seen someone playing in the NRL being vulnerable, honest and telling their story.

“It’s the greatest game for all for a reason. The support the Roosters, the players’ association, the NRL and everyone has shown in the game for Kane now and going forward is testament to that.”

The NRL first raised the prospect of introducing a Pride Round to celebrate gender and sexual diversity in 2022, although there wasn’t support for the initiative at club level.

“It’s not on the agenda at the moment, but that’s not to say that will be the case down the track,” Abdo said.

“We have a range of things that promote inclusivity in its many different formats. It’s a matter for the commission to consider in the future whether that should ever change.”

Roberts became a trailblazer when he announced he was gay in 1994, while at the height of his playing career. The former NSW and Australian prop was mindful of not overshadowing Evans’ news, but felt it had the potential to change not only his life but those of others going through similar struggles.

“This is his moment. I’m very happy for him,” Roberts said. “I don’t want to talk about me, this is his moment. I’m very happy that he has found some peace, or that he’s starting to.”

Roberts, who is in the process of completing a documentary on his life, said Evans’ story would bring awareness to the struggles many males faced in coming to terms with their sexuality.

“Hopefully it will make a lot more people sit up and pay attention to what’s going on