Former All Blacks Pro Rugby player Campbell Johnson comes out as gay

A former All Blacks of New Zealand rugby player has publicly declared his homosexuality. Campbell Johnson, All Blacks jersey number 1056, came out as gay earlier today during an interview on New Zealand’s TVNZ’s Seven Sharp. He admitted to “living a lie” and “living a double life” while playing for the All Blacks. He came out to host Hilary Barry, saying he did so to support fellow gay athletes who “struggled in the closet”.

“If I can be the first All Black to come out as gay and take away the pressure and stigma surrounding the issue, it could really help other people.” said the 43-year-old on Monday. “Then the public will know there is one between the All Blacks and it could be one of the final puzzle pieces in the sporting puzzle that closes everyone.”

Johnstone claimed he was never completely comfortable with his sexual identity and how it interacted with his lifelong ambition to play for the All Blacks, which is why he never came out publicly during his playing days.

“My view of an All Black was masculine, strong, possibly with a wife and kids,” he said. In addition, he had his own private motives. “The private part of me wanted to keep that private.”

Johnstone said he had come out to his family, close friends and several teammates “a long time ago”, despite remaining closeted in public. The event itself was quite ordinary.

We recently broke the news about some other celebs’ sexual orientation; if you want to know more about them, you can follow the links below-

“It was kind of like when I told them I just ran out of milk, one of them said ‘yeah, it’s about time'” he recalled the experience and added with a laugh “There was no big party or anything.”

Reactions to Johnstone’s statement on social media have been mostly positive. His old team showed him “a lot of love” after he left.

“Much love and support to All Black #1056 Campbell Johnstone for having the courage to share his story and help create a more inclusive game,” the team’s official Twitter account has been posted.

The New Zealand Rugby Union also made a big fuss about the news. In a statement posted on Twitter, the group’s CEO, Mark Robinson, said “On behalf of the New Zealand rugby community and as a former teammate, I would like to recognize and support Campbell for sharing his authentic story. Your strength and visibility will pave the way for others in our game.”

New Zealand Rugby made a statement in a tweet, which is quoted below:

Arohanui Campbell Johnstone All Black #1056 – your strength and visibility will pave the way for others in the sport here in Aotearoa and around the world 🖤🏉🌈 pic.twitter.com/LcEQsp2e1y

— New Zealand Rugby (@NZRugby) January 30, 2023

He added, “We know there are people who are not always comfortable being who they are in rugby. We want to be clear: it doesn’t matter who you love, rugby has your back.”

As New Zealand’s official rugby union team, the All Blacks compete at the highest international level. Having won the Rugby World Cup a record three times, they are widely regarded as one of the sport’s most dominant teams ever. The squad wears all-black clothing with a white fern on the front and before each match they do the haka, a traditional Mori challenge dance.

A cap refers to a match between two senior national teams competing in an international competition. The first time a player represents his or her country in a test match, he or she will be given a national team cap. On a huge oval grass field, with a ball that resembles a jumbo American football, two teams of 15 players compete.

Only backwards passes are allowed; forward passes result in a loss of possession. A goal is scored when a player carries the ball over the goal line and touches the ground, or when the ball is kicked through a stationary goal post in one of several ways.

Scrums are used to restart play in rugby and are therefore one of the game’s most recognizable features. In a huge group, opponents push against each other and the ball is fed in as they try to use their feet to gain control of it.

Johnstone, who was six feet tall and weighed 243 pounds, was a first-line prop in the scrum. His debut test match came in 2005, becoming the 1,056th All-Black player. James Allan was the inaugural member of the All Blacks to earn a cap in 1884. After the 2012 season, Johnstone decided to end his athletic career.

Johnstone has stated that he is ready for the attention of the media that will bring this news. He also expressed regret for having to come out in such a public manner.

“I’m a little, maybe a little sad that we actually have to do this,” Johnstone said. “But if I open their door and make that closet magically disappear, we’re going to help a lot of people.”

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