Published: 11 September 2014
ISBN: 9781473502208
Imprint: Ebury Digital
Format: EBook
Pages: 336

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Proud

My Autobiography

Gareth Thomas

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Apple Books

The inspiring true story of the first professional sportsman to come out while still playing

**WINNER British Sports Book Awards SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR**

**Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award**

Gareth Thomas had it all. He was a national hero, a sporting icon. He was a leader of men, captain of Wales and the British Lions. To him, rugby was an expression of cultural identity, a sacred code. It was no mere ball game. It gave him everything, except the freedom to be himself.

This is the story of a man with a secret that was slowly killing him. Something that might devastate not only his own life but the lives of his wife, family, friends and teammates. The only place where he could find any refuge from the pain and guilt of the lie he was living was on the pitch, playing the sport he loved. But all his success didn't make the strain of hiding who he really was go away. His fear that telling the truth about his sexuality would lose him everything he loved almost sent him over the edge.

The deceit ended when Gareth became the world's most prominent athlete to come out as a gay man. His gesture has strengthened strangers, and given him a fresh perspective. Gareth's inspiring and moving story transcends the world of sport to tell a universal truth about feeling like an outsider, and facing up to who you really are.

Published: 11 September 2014
ISBN: 9781473502208
Imprint: Ebury Digital
Format: EBook
Pages: 336

Categories:

Share…

About the author

Gareth Thomas

Gareth Thomas was born in 1974. He played rugby union for Bridgend, Celtic Warriors, Toulouse and Cardiff Blues, winning 100 international caps for Wales and captaining the British and Irish Lions. In 2010 he switched to rugby league, playing for the Crusaders RL, and for Wales. He retired from rugby in October 2011. Gareth announced publicly in 2009 that he is gay, and was voted the most influential gay person by Stonewall that year. He is a dedicated supporter of the charity Childline.

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Praise for Proud

Astonishingly powerful
The Times

Proud offers an enthralling insight into a world and a struggle to which we are rarely given access… Thomas’ story is a harrowing reminder that sportsmen are as vulnerable as the rest of us… The honesty with which Thomas presents his many dark moments makes this an absolute must-read. An eye-opening glimpse into the inner turmoil of a national hero
Sport Magazine

Inspiring and moving
Daily Telegraph

Sensational
Rugby World

Achingly honest
Guardian

In a year when some of the highest-profile sporting memoirs have been marked by self-serving narcissism, this is a story of substance
Daily Telegraph

A must read... It is breathtaking
Mail

This is a fascinating, often deeply moving, story which shows that while sport initially defined whoGareth Thomas was, everything changed when another facet of his life was revealed
Press Association

Astonishingly powerful
The Times

Incredibly powerful
Attitude

Inspiring and moving
Daily Telegraph

Sensational
Rugby World

In a year when some of the highest-profile sporting memoirs have been marked by self-serving narcissism, this is a story of substance
Daily Telegraph

Proud offers an enthralling insight into a world and a struggle to which we are rarely given access…Thomas’ story is a harrowing reminder that sportsmen are as vulnerable as the rest of us…The honesty with which Thomas presents his many dark moments makes this an absolute must-read, whether rugby fan or not. Rarely has the sense that sport is only a game rang truer. An eye-opening glimpse into the inner turmoil of a national hero
SPORT

Searingly honest
THE HERALD

This book is as inspiring as it is moving and depressing. A must read…It is breathtaking
DAILY MAIL

A story of extraordinary courage, both in and outside the sporting world…It's another sporting book that transcends sport, and Thomas should be loudly and gloriously celebrated for writing it
Independent