2010 ISSUES June Issue 2010 Cover Story - The Ben Cohen Interview
A Formal Introduction
Our Discussion With Ben Cohen About Rugby, Tolerance and Being a “Gay Icon”
In 2009 Ben Cohen returned from France to his home in Northamptonshire, England in order to continue his rugby career with the Sale Sharks. A winner of both the Rugby World Cup and England’s Heineken Cup (during his 11-year career with the Northampton Saints), Cohen is one of the most well-known names in the sport … especially in the United States, where he is recognized as much for
his good looks and sex appeal as for his on-the-pitch accomplishments.
The 31-year old – who has been playing the game since age 12 and began playing professionally at 17 – has achieved 57 caps for his country (internationally sanctioned matches played) and is second in the all-time try scoring record for England. He spends his downtime on his farm with his wife Abby and twin daughters.
To coincide with the bi-annual Bingham Cup, being played June 17-20 in Minneapolis, we sought out the gay icon for his thoughts on rugby, his career and his popularity amongst gay men. Compete was honored to have Ben grant us an interview.
COMPETE: You’ve been back playing in England now since last year, and it has been rumored that you were unhappy during the 18 months you were playing in France. Can you compare the two experiences?
BEN: Moving to France was an experience that just came at the wrong time for me. In hindsight it is easy to see that, but at the time you just do what you think is best. I had been playing top level rugby at Northampton Saints since I was 17 and I felt I needed a new challenge, so I looked at other offers and chose to go to France.
The rugby was very different in France and the pace of life was far more laid back. I enjoyed the training and playing, but my wife and I had just had twin daughters three months before we moved. That was a difficult enough experience in itself, let alone being 500 miles from home and the help of our family. It seems irresponsible now but we have weathered the storm and I can honestly say that it has changed me. I believe that things happen for a reason and you have to learn from choices that you make.
I am really pleased to be playing back in the English Premiership and have had great support from Kingsley Jones and Jason Robinson at Sale. The rugby in the premiership is what I am used to. It is more physical and a lot tighter than French rugby, which tends to be faster and free flowing. In France attacking is the key, but in England the defense lines are the main attributes that wins and loses matches.
COMPETE: Throughout your career you have been used to success on the pitch, but the Sale Sharks have struggled this season. How do you stay positive and motivated while on a losing squad?
BEN: I have been lucky to have had great success in my career with winning the World Cup in 2003 with England and the Heineken Cup with Northampton in 2000. I have scored many tries and enjoyed amazing experiences. I have also experienced being at the bottom of the table with Saints for quite a few years and then this year with Sale. It is just the highs and lows of being in a professional sport.
Morale is crucial in any team sport. Sale Sharks has world class players and should not have spent most of the season in the bottom quarter. When you look at the individuals within the team it is hard to believe that we could have only won six matches all season. It is something that has to be addressed by everyone for next season. We owe it to the fans, our owner, the coaches, the club and of course, to ourselves. It will all come together. We have had some really low moments, especially over the past few months, but generally we are a motivated squad that has gone through a difficult season.
COMPETE: How much more do you have left in you? Can you say how many more years you will play the sport?
BEN: I may not be quite as fast as I was 10 years ago, but I work hard and am as fit as I ever have been. I have always been big for a winger but I am strong and tend to win a lot in the air. With age comes experience, so my reading of the game is good and I feel that I can keep going for the foreseeable future as long as I keep injury free of course.
COMPETE: It’s no secret that you count a large number of gay men among your fans … and you have sort of embraced that. Was there ever any hesitation about “courting” your gay fan base?
BEN: I embrace diversity more than just a gay fanbase. I think that everyone should be able to say, think and feel the way they want to as long as no one else is hurt. I don’t think we have the right to judge what is right and wrong. I am happy and content in my life and feel that everyone should have the opportunity of feeling that way and being true to themselves.
I have never really thought about whether I court a gay fanbase. I actually find it quite amazing that people are so interested in me in that way. I don’t see it myself. But it seems that my acceptance of those who like me makes a big difference to a lot of gay men. I have had numerous e-mails, mainly from young men who have been inspired by me in some way, and so have had the courage to come out to their friends and families and so live fulfilled lives. I have also been told that I have helped parents come around to the fact that their son is gay. I have no idea how I have managed to do that, I have to confess – but if my openness has done that then it seems that it is the right way to be.
COMPETE: What do you think of the term “gay icon”?
BEN: It is not something I associate with myself really. I can only go by the response I see from the Web and articles. It is flattering of course. It’s nice to be appreciated. Everyone likes that.
COMPETE: Let’s be honest – many of these fans no nothing of rugby or sports in general. They know you because of your calendars and notoriety as a sex symbol. Any problem with that?
BEN: Ha ha. Yes, I know. I see the comments on facebook and some make me blush. My friend and colleague Jill looks after that side of things for me so I don’t see too much, but she keeps me up to date with what is going on.
When I went to France to play my rugby profile dipped, as I wasn’t playing for England at that time, but we then realized that there was a whole group of people who were more interested in me as a man rather than my status as a rugby player. I still can’t get used to that because I am either a rugby player or a dad. That’s all. We do our best to keep everyone updated with what I am up to, and with facebook and twitter Jill can let everyone know what is happening on and off pitch almost instantly. It’s incredible.
COMPETE: I’ve been told before that – simply by the nature of the sport – rugby is much more tolerant and accepting of all people. Do you find this to be true?
BEN: I can’t say if it is more tolerant than other sports, although this is something that interests me. What I can say is that in my experience, there is no pressure one way or another for men to come out and say they are gay. We don’t really see it as a problem either way. You are more likely to get a hard time over dropping a catch or having a kick charged down than anything else. Rugby is pretty straight forward really and as far as I can see, there is a good deal of acceptance all round.
COMPETE: What can say about acceptance of homosexual athletes in Europe compared to acceptance of homosexual athletes in the U.S.?
BEN: As I said, although it is something I am interested in, it is not something I know anything about, apart from what I read in the press. When I get more time after my rugby career is over I would like to learn a bit more about acceptance in sport generally on both sides of the Atlantic.
COMPETE: It’s still very taboo in this country for a professional athlete in a team sport to “come out” while still playing the game. If one of the top current players in your rugby union were to do so, what do you think the reaction would be?
BEN: When Gareth Thomas, a Welsh International, came out a few months ago, it was in the paper and on the Internet for a while and then everyone just got on with their lives. He seems happy and is still playing so he has led the way for more to come out if they want to. I haven’t noticed any homophobia in rugby in the UK and I think the reaction to Gareth has been nothing but supportive so maybe it is time for other sports to follow suit.
COMPETE: You’re the father of three-year old twins, Isabelle and Harriett. Which has proved tougher: chasing them around the house or being chased around the pitch by defenders?
BEN: Having twins is bloody exhausting. No contest.
COMPETE: If you had not become an international star of rugby, what else might you be doing right now?
BEN: I may have been a fireman or perhaps a policeman or maybe even a gangster! Not really. I love the countryside so maybe I would have been a game keeper or a farmer. Probably something physical where I would have to use my wits.
COMPETE: After your on-the-pitch career is over, what can the world expect from Ben Cohen? Will you still be in the public eye?
BEN: I hope to be involved in a variety of things. I have some ideas in the pipeline. I have experienced winning the World Cup and seen some incredible things and met some amazing people. I have also had some real lows and made some mistakes. I would like to share my experiences through talks and seminars. Perhaps I will write my autobiography. I may like to be involved in TV in some form or another but we will have to see what happens there.
Good article? Please leave a comment below.
And check the Galleries for larger images of Ben!
Comments (4)
Subscribe to this comment's feedShow/hide comments
...
-
- +0
-
-
...
-
- +0
-
-
Write comment
Campus Pride Top 10 Colleges
