An emotional and historic moment for Australian sport: former rugby league player Kane Evans (34) publicly came out as gay. He is only the second male professional in the history of the National Rugby League (NRL) to take this step—and the first since Ian Roberts in 1995.
In a highly emotional interview on the Channel Nine program “100% Footy,” the former Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels player spoke openly about the immense mental pressure that years of hiding had caused, as well as his struggles with addiction, homelessness, and suicidal thoughts.
Evans described vividly how hopeless his situation felt as a young man in the hyper-masculine world of professional sports: “I had three goals in life: to play in the NRL, to buy my parents a house, and to kill myself because I had lived in denial about my homosexuality since I was young.”
He achieved the first two goals; the third, he says, was averted thanks to support from the sports community. Former Roosters player Joe Galuvao, who now runs the transition program for former players in rugby league, opened his eyes: “Joe said, ‘You deserve to live a good life, and you deserve healing.’ I sat there and thought about what a good life or healing even means. When he said that, I started to question whether death might still be in my plan after all. Maybe I really do deserve to seek help.”
Another key pillar of support came from his former coach with the Sydney Roosters, Trent Robinson. After a period of detox, Robinson privately covered Evans’s rent, underscoring the Roosters’ belief that he could recover and flourish. “He called me to say the Roosters are still my home and that they have my back, no matter what I’m facing. That really meant the world to me,” Evans recalled. “He invited me into his office and basically told me that the Roosters would pay for my mental health. Robbo paid four weeks of my rent out of his own pocket.”
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A Milestone for Queer Visibility
The coming-out sparked a wave of solidarity across Australia. Ian Roberts, who paved the way more than 30 years ago, was brought to tears by Evans’s candor: “Everything he said… I thought, ‘This poor kid,’ I know exactly where he is in his head, the extreme insecurity about self-worth and how others perceive him.” Roberts himself had come out while still an active player—though it came with significant backlash from opposing fans and stadiums, along with homophobic taunts that were all too common at the time.
Direct link | Ian Roberts shared his story on a podcast last year
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Evans explained in the interview that for years he had tried to dull the psychological pressure of living in the closet through alcohol and drug abuse. He also faced coercion and attempts to out him by people in his circle. After celebrating four months clean and sober in May, he looks forward with relief and hope.
His message, especially to others in a similar situation, is to embrace honesty: “I carried this secret my whole life. I’m here today to show people that you don’t have to live like this,” he said. He already feels a measure of freedom. “I’m a little proud of myself, and when I look in the mirror now, I’ll smile and those bad thoughts won’t come back.”
If you’re having thoughts of taking your own life, talk to someone. In the United States, you can reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7 by calling or texting 988, or via chat at 988lifeline.org. If you prefer, you can also contact local crisis hotlines or your trusted healthcare provider for immediate support.
In many major U.S. cities, there are specialized counseling and support services for LGBTQ+ people, including youth and older adults. Look for LGBTQ community centers, hotlines, or support groups in your area. A quick search can help you find confidential, free or low-cost resources for conversation, therapy, and community connection.
