A World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler announced publicly on Aug. 14 that he is gay, according to reports, becoming the first professional wrestler to make such an announcement.
A cameraman working for gossip website TMZ confronted Fred Rosser, who has wrestled in the WWE under the name Darren Young for approximately three years, at a Los Angeles Airport and asked him “Do you think a gay wrestler could be successful in the WWE?”
Young responded by confirming his preference: “Absolutely. Look at me. I’m a WWE superstar, and to be honest with you, I’ll tell you right now I’m gay and I’m happy. Very happy.”
Young was then asked how he thought the public would respond to his announcement.
“To be honest with you, I’m happy with myself,” Young said. “Some people may not like it and some people will like it. I’m here to please myself. I’m here to be happy. It’s very important that I’m happy with myself.”
Regarding how his coworkers and people within the WWE organization would react, Young had no worries.
“We’re all adults,” Young said. “All sports are physical. When I come to work, I come to work. Business is business. I’m a WWE superstar and I’m there to entertain the WWE universe. That’s what my job is to do and I do it well.”
WWE superstar John Cena expressed support for Young.
“Oh wonderful,” he told TMZ. “I know Darren personally. Darren’s a great guy. That’s a very bold move for him. And congratulations for him for actually finally doing it.”
The WWE also voiced their support.
“On TMZ this morning, WWE Superstar Darren Young revealed to the WWE Universe that he is gay,” the organization said in a release. “WWE is proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality, and we will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar.”
