{"id":724008,"date":"2026-06-08T23:43:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T23:43:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/724008\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T23:43:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T23:43:13","slug":"former-nrl-enforcer-kane-evans-comes-out-i-know-that-im-gay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/724008\/","title":{"rendered":"Former NRL enforcer Kane Evans comes out: \u2018I know that I\u2019m gay"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former NRL<\/a> enforcer Kane Evans has come out as gay, revealing a two-decade wrestle with his own sexuality that almost took his life. <\/p>\n

The 34-year-old, who played 154 games of professional rugby league across stints with the Sydney Roosters, Parramatta, New Zealand Warriors and Hull FC in the UK, said he needed to face his \u201cworst nightmare\u201d to save himself.<\/p>\n

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Former NRL star Kane Evans comes out as gay<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI had three goals in life,\u201d Evans told 100% Footy<\/a> on Monday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that I\u2019m gay. But I went down every other avenue to sort of build up these walls. To be someone, to escape who I am.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still can\u2019t believe that I\u2019m here talking to you. This is definitely my worst nightmare. But I know if I surrender, its just going to be a start to a new life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been fighting a war within since I was about 15 years old and it\u2019s not sustainable. I was sleeping in parks, doing drugs, trying to ultimately pass away so I didn\u2019t have to come to this.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I know that there\u2019s people who are struggling with the same struggle that I\u2019ve gone through. So I\u2019m very blessed that I can come here and talk to you, and be able to save a life or two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"KaneKane Evans has come out as gay. Credit: Getty<\/p>\n

The 200cm man mountain enjoyed a decorated rugby league career, including representing Fiji 13 times, but has seen his life slowly spiral as he tried to deny his sexuality to himself. <\/p>\n

Evans had been couch surfing and sleeping in parks before finding help from Rugby League Players\u2019 Association manager Joe Galuvao. <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe said, \u2018You deserve to live a good life and you deserve healing\u2019,\u201d Evans said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sat there and thought about what a good life or healing was. When he said that, that\u2019s when I started questioning \u2014 \u2018Maybe death isn\u2019t in the plan for me yet. Maybe I do deserve to go and get help\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thank God that he came and visited me and got me into rehab with the help of the RLPA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Evans revealed it was Roosters coach Trent Robinson who extended the first olive branch. <\/p>\n

\u201cSomehow \u2018Robbo\u2019 got my number,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe called me just to let me know that the Roosters are still my home and they\u2019ve got my back, whatever I\u2019m facing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat meant the world to me. He took me, my best friend, and one of my mentors to Roosters HQ a week after I got out of rehab.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe gave them the full tour and took us into his office and virtually told me that the Roosters are paying for my mental health.<\/p>\n

\u201cRobbo, out of his own money, paid four weeks of my rent as I had just gotten into a place that week.\u201d<\/p>\n

He becomes the second NRL player in history to come out as gay, following legendary trailblazer Ian Roberts, who did so more than 30 years ago. <\/p>\n

Evans, who retired from professional rugby league just three years ago, says he carried the burden of hiding his true self for \u201cmy whole life\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here today to show people that you don\u2019t have to live like that,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cEven now I feel a bit more free, just by saying it out loud, I\u2019ve brought it to the light.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had people blackmail me. I\u2019ve had people try to throw me under the bus, I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I\u2019ve spoken about it, I\u2019ve shattered all those chains. They\u2019ve lost their power. I feel like coming and speaking to you today, fear, shame, guilt \u2013 all of that, I\u2019ve cut ties with all that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel peace within, and I feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders. I\u2019m a bit proud of myself and when I look in the mirror, I\u2019m going to smile now, not have those bad thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 131114. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.<\/p>\n

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