- Published: 11 September 2014
- ISBN: 9781473502208
- Imprint: Ebury Digital
- Format: EBook
- Pages: 336
Proud
My Autobiography
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
About the author
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
Thomas’s autobiography is remarkable not for his open gayness but for the truthfulness that permeates every page
The Sunday Times
Astonishing in its candour…this is a tale of hope
The Times
