His nickname on the football field was "Der Hammer" -- apt for a man who is keen to knock down the barriers faced by gay people in sport.

Thomas Hitzlsperger

Thomas Hitzlsperger, a former Germany international, revealed Wednesday that he is gay, becoming the most high-profile soccer star to do so to date.

Read more: www.wbaltv.com

Photo By Egghead06 (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

West Ham player Thomas Hitzlsperger warming-up before their game against Stoke City on 5 March 2011 which they won 3-0 with Hitzlsperger scoring the third goal.

Tagged:
About the Author

Staff members publishes stories from other news outlets from around the world.