Mickey Rourke to play gay rugby player Gareth Thomas in new film
Tue. December 28, 2010 8:00 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
gareth thomas
photo credit // wikipedia
Wales -
Actor Mickey Rourke said he's going to portray gay rugby player Gareth Thomas in a new movie.
Thomas was married to a woman, but came out in December 2009. He is the only openly gay professional athlete playing a team sport in the world.
"I read the story, it's one of the toughest, hardest sports... and to be a man that plays rugby that is gay, to live with that secret for the amount of years Gareth had, to perform at the high level he performed at, it takes a lot of courage," Rourke said.
Thomas is known as "Alfie" for his resemblance to the old television character "ALF." He plays for the Crusaders in Europe's Super League.
"I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player," Thomas said when he came out. "I am a rugby player, first and foremost I am a man."
Thomas was married to a woman, but came out in December 2009. He is the only openly gay professional athlete playing a team sport in the world.
"I read the story, it's one of the toughest, hardest sports... and to be a man that plays rugby that is gay, to live with that secret for the amount of years Gareth had, to perform at the high level he performed at, it takes a lot of courage," Rourke said.
Thomas is known as "Alfie" for his resemblance to the old television character "ALF." He plays for the Crusaders in Europe's Super League.
"I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player," Thomas said when he came out. "I am a rugby player, first and foremost I am a man."