Der Hammer

[villa kicks]

He only scores screamers that one against Bolton - awesome !

And where he nut megged Henry - sick!

Thinking about it Tommy Hitz has got one of the best shots i've ever seen
Just lookingat his techinque and way he strikes ball is ridic

 

[PaulWinch again]

Well done Hitz, brave thing to do and good luck in the future.

[London Villan]

I think a lot of it is down to the media hyping up these stories. Does anyone think any less of him for announcing this? I doubt it. Will it change his post football work, doubt that too.

He is the one that will benefit the most by being true to himself, that's the bravest bit in all of this.

[Grande Pablo]

A lovely man, model pro & lives his life as he sees fit. 

We used to call him our daugthers future husband in the early 2000's as he was (& remains) a handsome devil, ideal son in law material.  Gutted when he left.

He'll excel in whatever he plans to do next.

[Legion]

Fair play to him.

[Ducksworthy]

The only thing that bothers me at all about this is that he's already retired. When did that happen?! I remember when he was young and up-and-coming. I'm not bothered by his homosexuality, I'm more concerned about how this makes me feel old...

[wozwebs]

In this day and age and with all the other problems in the world, the fact that this made the Sky News (not just Sky Sports News) yellow ticker is ridiculous really. Who cares anymore? Good luck to him, always rated him, shame his career ended so soon.

[Fred]

Well Done to Tommy Hammer.
Now all is needed is a current footballer to be brave enough to come out and the whole taboo thing about gay footballers can be crushed once and for all.

[PaulWinch again]

I wish it wasn't a big deal and it wasn't a significant thing, but unfortunately in football at the moment it is. So therefore it's very brave of him to do.

[TimTheVillain]

Brave thing to do, all the best Tommy.

[manic-road]

Good luck to him in the future.

[Witton Warrior]

Well done Tommy - will hopefully be a step that allows others to be honest and open about their sexuality

[Meanwood Villa]

Hitz is quoted in the Guardian saying that he didn't have a problem in dressing rooms in the UK, Italy or France.

But he did in Germany? Also given it appears he was married/had a girlfriend when he played for the Villa it perhaps wasn't common knowledge. Having said which despite the many criticisms of modern footballers I can't imagine many being bothered by something like this, just like the vast majority of people in their own line of work. I can completely understand why footballers don't come out during their careers though As well as the potential abuse from fans and their own personal reasons they may have for not being "out" I think there would be a large degree of unfair pressure on a current pro coming out now & being the first, or one of the first. You would forever be labelled "the first gay footballer" and be seen as some sort of pioneer or trailblazer when you may well not want the attention. Given the goldfish bowl pressures a footballer has in their personal and professional life anyway I can imagine this being seen as an extra unnecessary burden. Sad but true.

[silhillvilla]

Good luck Der hammer good player for us and a nice bloke too.

[darren woolley]

Good luck to him.