Joining the NBA’s Jason Collins and Tim Duncan and Boxing’s Orlando Cruz and Oscar Dela Hoya, yesterday’s abrupt announcement by WWE Superstar Darren Young that he is not only gay but happy adds yet another professional athlete to the roster of those who proudly wear the rainbow flag; professional wrestling can now boast of its own gay player. I know. But as it turns out not everyone involved with professional wrestling is in fact gay. Whodathunk?

Young, AKA Fred Rossen, AKA Fred Rosser, AKA Fred Sampson, AKA Fred Sanford, AKA Frederick of Hollywood, AKA Officer Sampson, AKA No Day Off, AKA Cocoa Pebbles, the 6’1”, 239 lb, 33-year-old native New Jersey boy who is a rising star in World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) was sandbagged for a short interview by a camera man for TMZ at the baggage carousel at LAX yesterday when, in response to being asked whether a gay wrestler could survive in the WWE, he said, “Absolutely. Look at me. I’m a WWE superstar and to be honest with you, I’ll tell you right now, I’m gay. And I’m happy. I’m very happy.”

For the record, Darren is now the first openly gay wrestler ever at WWE. And the first headlining wrestler ever to come out while still signed to a major promotion. Also, for the record, Young’s Twitter description, which reads, “As comfortable in the VIP section as he is in the ring, Darren Young’s life revolves around three things — money, women and wrestling,” might need to be updated.

John Cena, a fellow wrestler who those outside of the teenage boys the sport is marketed to might have heard of, congratulated Young for finally coming out, saying, “Good for him. That’s fantastic … I know Darren personally. Darren’s a great guy. That’s a very bold move for him. And congratulations for him for actually finally doing it.” Cena, whose older brother is gay, added that he expected this wouldn’t have any effect on Young’s career. A safe bet since the WWE doesn’t perform in Russia.

The WWE released a statement this morning in support of Young’s coming out while plugging its Be A STAR anti-bullying rally to be held today in Los Angeles at which Young will appear. Whether the promoter will treat Young’s future in the sport in the manner he deserves or if instead it will be a rerun of WWE star Orlando Jordan, who when it became known was bisexual was turned into a ridiculous pervert who sprayed lotion all over himself because it looked like ejaculate, remains to be seen. On the plus side, there is already a Darren Young action figure on the market, so we can only hope for a whole new series of One Direction doll memes.

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