Bisexual hockey player Nicolás Keenan says his life mirrored Heated Rivalry
Nicolas Keenan described his life like Heated Rivalry (Instagram/nicokeenan | Crave)
Bisexual Argentine hockey player Nicolás Keenan has shared his ‘closeted’ love story which reflects the global hit show Heated Rivalry.
Keenan, who plays for Dutch Hoofdklasse club Klein Zwitserland, told PinkNews how he kept his relationship with Rob Jetten – the Netherlands’ potential new Prime Minister – from the public eye.
As a closeted professional hockey player, Keenan recognised the similarities between himself and Scott Hunter’s story within the series.
He said: “I was a closeted professional hockey player living their love story inside of a room or inside of Scott’s apartment. That I really related to.
“It’s how I started my relationship with my fiancé.”
In Heated Rivalry, Scott, played by Francois Arnaud, starts a relationship with a barista, Kip (Robbie GK), and struggles with keeping his private life away from his career, before eventually coming out in a grand way.
Keenan explained: “I was a closeted professional hockey player, so for me it was really hard.
“I felt really ashamed watching the show that I could put someone in that situation.”
However, Nicolás reveals he realised he could no longer keep his sexuality hidden after meeting Rob.
“Poor guy, he was watching my games on TV for quite a long time before actually coming to one of my games,” Keenan added. “I did a full Olympic cycle being closeted.
“I couldn’t go through another one, just not be myself.”
With Rob’s political race in full swing, the couple now hare their relationship on the World stage.
Keenan continued: “The moment I met Rob, it really felt like he was the right person to shout to the world, ‘OK, I’m in love with this guy.’
“So actually he gave me the trust and the confidence to really go outside and say, ‘OK, I’m a hockey player and I’m in love with this guy as well.'”
