Former NRL enforcer Kane Evans has become the second male player in league history to come out as gay.

The ex-Roosters, Eels and Warriors prop made 131 appearances at the top level along with 13 games for Fiji, and 23 appearances for Hull in the Super League.

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Evans, 34, follows pioneer Ian Roberts as publicly out professional Australian rugby league players.

Casey Conway, who played for the Roosters’ Jersey Flegg team before injury cut his career short, also revealed he was gay after retiring while former NRL referee Matt Cecchin became the league’s first official or player to come out since Roberts back in 2012.

Speaking on Nine’s 100% Footy, Evans explained he had been denying his sexuality since he was a teenager and it proved so difficult he battled addiction issues while planning to end his own life.

“I had three goals in life,” Evans said.

“And it was; to play NRL. To buy my parents a house, and then I wanted to top myself, because I was living in denial from a young age.

“I know that. I know that I’m gay. But I went down every other avenue to build up these walls. To be someone, to escape who I am.”

Evans said he has had to deal with people who knew about his sexuality and were looking to “blackmail” or “out” him, before the Rugby League Players Association helped get him into rehab.

He celebrated more than four months of being sober in May.

Kane Evans as a player, and speaking on 100% Footy.Source: FOX SPORTS

“I still can’t believe that I’m here talking to you,” he told James Bracey.

“This is definitely my worst nightmare. But I know if I surrender, its just going to be a start to a new life. I’ve been fighting a war within since I was about 15 years old. And it’s not sustainable.

“I was sleeping in parks, doing drugs, trying to ultimately pass away so I didn’t have to come to this (conversation).

“But I know that there’s people who are struggling with the same struggle that I’ve gone through. So I’m very blessed that I can come here and talk to you, and be able to save a life or two.”

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Evans explained: “I started questioning; ‘Maybe death isn’t the plan for me yet. Maybe I do deserve to go and get help’.

“I’ve carried (hiding his sexuality) around my whole life. I’m here today to show people that you don’t have to live like that. Even now I feel a bit more free, just by saying it out loud, I’ve brought it to the light.

“Even over the years when I’ve tried to go down that path (coming out), I’ve had people blackmail me. I’ve had people try to throw me under the bus, I’ve had people try to deflect their problems by trying to out me. And it just built up a lot of shame, and fear and guilt within myself.

“Now I’ve spoken about it, I’ve shattered all those chains. They’ve lost their power. I feel like coming and speaking to you today, fear, shame, guilt – all of that, I’ve cut ties with all that.

“I feel peace within, and I feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders.”

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78.

For further information about depression, contact beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.