Kane Evans, a former rugby league prop forward, expressed a sense of relief after becoming just the second male player in the National Rugby League (NRL) to publicly identify as gay. In a heartfelt discussion on Channel Nine’s program 100% Footy, the 131-game NRL veteran shared his battles with addiction, suicidal thoughts, and homelessness, all stemming from his struggle with his sexuality.
“I had three aspirations in life,” Evans reflected. “They were to play in the NRL, purchase a home for my parents, and ultimately, I felt like ending my life because I had been living in denial for so long. Deep down, I knew I was gay, but I tried everything to build barriers around myself, to become someone else and escape my true identity.”
Evans credited Joe Galuvao, a former NRL player now involved with the Rugby League Players Association’s program for past players and their transitions, for helping him turn his life around.
“Joe told me, ‘You deserve a good life and the chance to heal,’” Evans recounted. “That made me reconsider what a fulfilling life or healing truly meant. It was then I began to think that maybe ending my life wasn’t my only option. Perhaps I truly deserved to seek help. I am grateful to him for guiding me into rehab with the support of the RLPA.”
Trent Robinson, the coach of the Sydney Roosters who gave Evans his debut in 2014, also played an essential role in his recovery. After Evans completed his rehabilitation, Robinson invited him to the Roosters’ facilities and assisted with his living expenses.
Ben Cork, the national manager for Pride in Sport, praised Evans for his bravery. “Coming out on your own terms is a powerful act, and it highlights how sports can drive meaningful change,” Cork noted. “Visibility matters for younger athletes watching; it sends a message that everyone has a place in the sport. This moment transcends one individual; it illustrates how such instances can reshape the future of athletics.”
Evans is the first male professional rugby league player to come out since Ian Roberts did so over three decades ago. Roberts expressed his pride in Evans, stating he was moved to tears during the interview. “Hearing him speak, I empathized with his struggles; I understand the intense uncertainty he’s faced regarding his identity,” Roberts shared.
Having celebrated four months of sobriety in May, Evans hopes that sharing his story will encourage others to live authentically. “I’ve carried the burden of concealing my sexuality for a lifetime,” he said. “I am here today to show others that a life like this isn’t necessary. Just by voicing my truth, I feel a sense of liberation. I have found inner peace, and I feel as if a heavy burden has been lifted. I take pride in myself now and will look in the mirror and smile instead of dwelling on negative thoughts.”
At the peak of his career, Evans was known as one of the NRL’s most formidable enforcers. He debuted with the Roosters in 2014, playing 74 matches before moving to Parramatta in 2018. He had a brief stint with the Warriors in 2021 and concluded his professional journey with Hull FC in England in 2023. Additionally, Evans represented Fiji on 13 occasions at the international level.
If anyone is in crisis, support services are available. In Australia, Lifeline can be reached at 13 11 14. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans offer assistance at freephone 116 123. In the United States, individuals can contact or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for help. Additional international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
