Jack Jablonski Comes Out As Gay

Jake Jablonski close up
instagram | Jake Jablonski
Sep 9, 2022 3:23 PM ET

Digital media content specialist for the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and legendary hockey player Jack Jablonski has come out as gay. Jack was an active athlete until paralyzed during a high school hockey game more than 10 years ago.

He included in his post about the news: “Having seen the acceptance to the brave men and women that came before me, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done to pave the way in sports. You have helped people like myself become comfortable to be who we really are publicly. A gay man in the sports world.”

How His Past Has Affected Him

“Prior to my injury, I began to battle my true self internally. I went from confusion to disbelief, to denial, to pushing it down, to now, acceptance and happiness. This process has been extremely tough and lonely. I am proud of who I am and ready to share,” Jablonski wrote on his Instagram post.

What Started Making Him Want to Come Out Of the Closet

An online conversation with Luke Prokop, a prospect for the NHL’s Nashville Predators who now plays for the Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings, helped turn things around. He sent Prokop a message on Instagram in the summer of 2021, after Prokop had just come out as gay. About the exchange, he said: “Whether he knows it or not, Luke Prokop was huge for me. I opened up and talked to him. I asked him a bunch of questions and picked his brain on how everything went for him, and he was nothing but complimentary of everyone, especially how the Predators treated him, which made me feel a lot better.”

How He Feels After The News Came Out

In his interview with The Athletic, he said about the news being public: “I feel like for the first time in my life, I’m happy and excited about the future. I’m finally being true to myself, having finally come to grips with who I am. It feels great to be able to be myself and not have to worry about hiding in the shadows.”

What Kept Him From Coming Out

jack jablonski
instagram | jack jablonski

He said in the same interview: “At 14, 15, my friend group, stereotypically, was your typical jocks and masculine athletes. So for me, when you have those curiosities or conflicting things in your head, or just not understanding at the time, you’re just like, ‘Nah, whatever. It’s a phase or I’ll get over it or there’s no way.’ I was just like, ‘Well, there’s no way it’s true I’m gay. I’m a four-sport athlete. I have no stereotypical interests in anything that is perceived as quote-unquote gay. I’m not into any of that. I’m masculine.’”

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