Former NRL and Hull FC man Kane Evans comes out as gay in honest interview

In a brave, honest and emotional interview, former Hull FC prop Kane Evans has revealed he is gay.

The former Fijian international made 23 appearances for the Black and Whites in 2022, and amassed over 130 NRL games for multiple clubs in his career.

Now 34, Evans has publicly announced his sexuality, becoming only the second male player in the NRL’s history to come out as gay.

The ex-prop follows in the footsteps of Ian Roberts in terms of the Australian competition, whilst the Super League saw Keegan Hirst become the first openly gay player back in 2015.

Speaking to Channel Nine in Australia, Evans revealed that it has been a near 20-year struggle, with things getting so bad that he planned to end his own life.

“I had three goals in life,” Evans said. “To play NRL. To buy my parents a house, and then I wanted to top myself, because I was living in denial from a young age.”

Commenting on the struggle, and how hard it was to live in secret, he added: “I know that. I know that I’m gay. But I went down every other avenue to build up these walls. To be someone, to escape who I am.”

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Ex-Hull FC prop Kane Evans comes out as gay

The former FC man stated that people tried to “blackmail” or “out” him about his sexuality, but after receiving plenty of support from those around him, he was able to move past that tough roadblock in his life and live to tell the tale.

“I still can’t believe that I’m here talking to you,” he said. “This is definitely my worst nightmare.

“But I know if I surrender, it’s just going to be a start to a new life. I’ve been fighting a war within since I was about 15 years old. And it’s not sustainable.

“I was sleeping in parks, doing drugs, trying to ultimately pass away so I didn’t have to come to this (conversation).

“But I know that there’s people who are struggling with the same struggle that I’ve gone through. So I’m very blessed that I can come here and talk to you, and be able to save a life or two.”

Evans continued: “I started questioning; ‘Maybe death isn’t the plan for me yet. Maybe I do deserve to go and get help’.

“I’ve carried (hiding his sexuality) around my whole life. I’m here today to show people that you don’t have to live like that. Even now I feel a bit more free, just by saying it out loud, I’ve brought it to the light.

“Even over the years when I’ve tried to go down that path (coming out), I’ve had people blackmail me. I’ve had people try to throw me under the bus, I’ve had people try to deflect their problems by trying to out me. And it just built up a lot of shame, and fear and guilt within myself.

“Now I’ve spoken about it, I’ve shattered all those chains. They’ve lost their power. I feel like coming and speaking to you today, fear, shame, guilt – all of that, I’ve cut ties with all that.

“I feel peace within, and I feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders.”