It was a response the TMZ photographer was probably not expecting and left him "flabbergasted" after catching up with World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) Darren Young at the Los Angeles International Airport baggage claim.
When the photographer asked Young whether a gay wrestler could succeed in the sports entertainment industry, Young gave an answer that caught the TMZ photographer off-guard.
"Absolutely. Look at me. I'm a WWE superstar and to be honest with you, I'll tell you right now, I'm gay," said Young, who is in Los Angeles to do events leading up to this Sunday's SummerSlam pay-per-view. "And I'm happy. I'm very happy."
With the photographer taken aback by the response, he recovered, asking the 29-year-old wrestler what "the boys" response was in the locker room.
"All sports are physical. We're all adults," said Young. "To be honest with you, when I come to work, I come to work. This is business. I'm a WWE Superstar. I'm there to entertain the WWE Universe and that's what my job is to do and I do it well."
Young, who signed a development deal with the WWE in 2009, made his debut on NXT in 2010, making the main roster later that year during The Nexus invasion storyline. He is currently a member of The Prime Time Players, along with Titus O'Neil.
"WWE is proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality, and we will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar," said the WWE in a statement. "Today, in fact, Darren will be participating in one of our Be A STAR anti-bullying rallies in Los Angeles to teach children how to create positive environments for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation."
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