Pat Patterson Comes Out on WWE's 'Legends' House' (VIDEO)
Wrestling legend Pat Patterson had an emotional breakthrough on the season finale of WWE's "Legends' House" and revealed that he was gay. He came out to fellow wrestlers and fans, telling them that he had kept his sexual orientation a secret for over 50 years.
"For the rest of my life, I want to be happy," Patterson said in tears. "From where I come from, when I had nothing – no family, no money – and I ended up with Vince [McMahon], working in the office, to me that was the biggest achievement of my life. Sitting here tonight I'm going to say something and I would never want to say publicly, but being here with you guys, for once in my life, I'm going to be me now. I survived all this being gay."
Patterson also revealed that he had struggled in and out of the ring, including losing a very close friend and partner of 40 years to a heart attack. It was an emotional scene, and other WWE icons, including "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, and Jimmy the "Mouth of the South" Hart, all offered their support and teared up as Patterson told his story.
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"I survived the business," Patterson said. "I did. I'm so proud of me. It's tough guys, it was tough."
Patterson, however, is not the first WWE Superstar to reveal his homosexuality. Last year, Darren Young, one half of a tag team who has made it in the industry, talked about it in the open.
"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," Young told TMZ when asked whether one could survive being homosexual in the WWE.
The WWE immediately came out to offer support for Young and any other gay wrestlers in their organization.
"WWE is proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality, and we will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar," a statement from the WWE read. "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."
Watch Patterson's emotional moment here:
