Fred Rosser f.k.a Darren Young is known for his time in WWE as a member of the Nexus and later as a member of the Primetime Players alongside Titus O’Neil. The former WWE Tag Team Champion was the company’s first-ever openly homosexual wrestler after publicly coming out during an interview with TMZ in 2013. His act of courage motivated other closeted gay wrestlers to come out. Following Rosser’s big reveal of sexual orientation, WWE legend Pat Patterson publicly announced he was gay in 2014.
Although Patterson never kept his sexuality hidden backstage, he took some time to officially announce his sexual preferences. Former WWE star Chris Kanyon also came out of the closet following his WWE release but his experience as a gay wrestler was reportedly bitter.
However, Rosser’s experience was not the same as Kanyon’s as he recalls feeling comfortable around his peers and even Vince McMahon after he made the call to come out.
Fred Rosser recalls Vince McMahon’s reaction after he publicly came out
During an interview with Wrestling.Co, Fred Rosser spoke volumes about his experiences so far as a wrestler. At some point, he recalled how Vince McMahon reacted when he learned that Rosser was homosexual.
According to him, he had a 20-minute-long heart-to-heart conversation with Vince. The 39-year-old wrestler recalled Vince McMahon empathizing with him and epitomizing his situation with Pat Patterson who was another proud gay wrestler.
Darren Young was in backstage of #SmackDown15 w/ Titus O’Neil and Vince McMahon! pic.twitter.com/b0rryvvO3q
— Menu Shonen 🇯🇵 (@MenuShonen) October 10, 2014
“It was Vince McMahon that actually reached out to me when I came out publicly. And we talked for 20 minutes. And it was really genuine. He said, about how one of his best friends Pat Patterson, God rest of the soul, was also gay. It was a good talk.” Said Rosser.
Welcome #PTP Darren Young and Titus Oneil to the Hall of Tag Team Champions! http://t.co/yN6VCIMBLT pic.twitter.com/v2JvsHxPpf
— Steven (@steviebreech) June 18, 2015
Rosser then added that Vince McMahon believed in him and agreed for Bob Backlund to be his manager. Rosser expressed his gratitude to Vince McMahon and will be beholden to him for accepting and respecting his ideas.
In addition, Vince McMahon did not want to make a storyline out of Rosser’s sexual orientation. McMahon’s kindness liberated Rosser and made him feel more comfortable. Fred’s run with WWE ended in 2017 after his release. It remains to be seen if he ever returns to WWE.
On this day in wrestling history June 14, The Prime Time Players (Titus O’Neil and Darren Young) defeated The New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods) to become the new WWE Tag Team Champions at Money in the Bank 2015. pic.twitter.com/kSBpHOmKQz
— Nicholas Francoletti (@NF201111) June 14, 2021
Fred Rosser comments on winning NJPW Strong Openweight Championship
On May 15, 2022, Fred Rosser defeated Tom Lawlor at NJPW’s Strong Collision and claimed the Strong Openweight Championship. Further during the interview, Rosser expressed his gratefulness to be the champion. According to him, this is his first-ever major singles title reign.
The last time Rosser held a title was the WWE Tag Team Championship with his former partner Titus O’Neil. The Strong Openweight Champion also stated that he considers NJPW “sacred” and that he does not expect any special treatment.
The evolution from Darren Young, Prime Time Player to Fred Rosser, NJPW Strong Champion is astounding. Looks and feels like a whole new man. https://t.co/koYJQGqG24
— Just a Skeleton (@rasslewarzzz) June 26, 2022
“It means the world to me because it’s my first major singles championship. I held the tag team title with Titus O’Neil in WWE. I’ll never, ever forget that moment. And now being the Strong Openweight Champion. It’s like, New Japan is sacred to me. That’s what it means to me.” Rosser said.
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