Germany Soccer Hitzlsperger Gay
In this picture taken Oct. 14, 2009 Germany's Thomas Hitzlsperger waits during the national anthem prior the World Cup Group 4 qualifying soccer mat...
In this picture taken Oct. 14, 2009 Germany's Thomas Hitzlsperger waits during the national anthem prior the World Cup Group 4 qualifying soccer match between Germany and Finland in Hamburg, northern Germany. Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger announced he is gay on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2014 , becoming likely the most prominent footballer yet to break a long-standing taboo within the sport. Hitzlsperger says in an interview given to Die Zeit newspaper,
Germany Soccer Hitzlsperger Gay
FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2009 file picture Germany's Thomas Hitzlsperger waits prior the World Cup Group 4 qualifying soccer match between Germany and...
FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2009 file picture Germany's Thomas Hitzlsperger waits prior the World Cup Group 4 qualifying soccer match between Germany and Finland in Hamburg, northern Germany. Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger announced he is gay on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2014, becoming likely the most prominent footballer yet to break a long-standing taboo within the sport. Hitzlsperger says in an interview given to Die Zeit newspaper,
Germany Soccer Hitzlsperger Gay
In this picture taken Nov. 17, 2007 Germany's Thomas Hitzlsperger goes with the ball during the Group D Euro 2008 qualifying soccer match between Germ...
In this picture taken Nov. 17, 2007 Germany's Thomas Hitzlsperger goes with the ball during the Group D Euro 2008 qualifying soccer match between Germany and Cyprus in Hannover, northern Germany. Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger announced he is gay on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2014, becoming likely the most prominent footballer yet to break a long-standing taboo within the sport. Hitzlsperger says in an interview given to Die Zeit newspaper,
BERLIN (AP) -- Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has announced he is gay.
Hitzlsperger says in an interview published by Die Zeit newspaper on Wednesday, "I am expressing my sexuality because I want to promote the discussion of homosexuality among professional athletes."
The 31-year-old says he felt now was the right time, four months after retirement following a career in England, Italy and Germany, to approach a subject he feels is "simply ignored."
Hitzlsperger played 52 games for Germany from 2004-11. He also played for Aston Villa, Stuttgart, Lazio and Wolfsburg.
He tells Die Zeit, "Only in the last few years did it dawn on me that I would rather live with a man."
