As mentioned yesterday, when arriving at LAX, WWE superstar Darren Young was asked by TMZ whether a gay man could succeed in the WWE to which Young responded, “Absolutely. Look at me. I’m a WWE superstar and, to be honest with you, I’m gay." The confession caught the camera-man off guard, as CNN notes:
"Man, that's in … that's … sorry. I'm kinda' of flabbergasted man. I think … I didn't know and obviously I think that's just … I commend your bravery," the cameraman said.
"I don't think it matters. Does it matter? Does it matter to you?…Does it change what you think about me?" Young rhetorically asked after making the statement.
"Not an iota," TMZ's cameraman said. "In fact I commend you even more that you would share something so beautiful and personal with me."
"We're all adults. All sports are physical. When I come to work, I come to work," Young said. "Business is business…Some people might not like it, and some people will like it."
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. offered its support of Young following his statement: "[The] WWE is proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality, and we will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar." HRC notes that fellow WWE superstar John Cena has since congratulated Young on coming out.
Young seems to be focused on the impact his actions can have on others, telling TMZ, "I’m hoping to be able to make a difference…It’s very important to me that people understand that someone’s sexual preference doesn’t really matter. It’s about the person." The WWE also commented that Young was planning to spend Thursday at an anti-bullying event "to teach children how to create positive environments for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation."
Young is only the second professional wrestler to come out, following former wrestler Chris Kanyon who tragically took his own life in 2010.
Check out Young's conversation with TMZ along with a clip of him in action AFTER THE JUMP…
