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Brandon

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Bouncing back from injury and viral humiliation, few could have foreseen that Brandon Carter would round out his Wolves career with the captain’s armband, but, following an off-season vote by his teammates, that’s exactly what he did.

Despite a rocky start, any concerns that his horror injury or newfound status as an LGBT trailblazer might impact his game proved unfounded; Carter posted a career best 21 goals, 19 assists, with a 98% tackle win rate and a complete clean sheet.

Impressive performance aside, Carter won plaudits for deploying an effective charm-and-disarm strategy in his post-match interviews, effectively neutralising an often-hostile media. His approach generated plenty of viral moments, and alongside his on-pitch play, is widely credited with bringing renewed attention to the often-dismissed college soccer leagues.

With MLS teams clamouring to sign him for his full first professional season, Carter continues to keep the soccer world guessing as to his next move.

Spectrum Men of the Year: 30 Under 30.

Brandon Carter is a name that’s been synonymous with success since he was old enough to kick a soccer ball, but it’s in the last 12 months that he’s really cemented his place in history.

The first college soccer player to come out before turning pro, Carter has put in a masterclass season, silencing naysayers with a combination of on the pitch skill and sharp AF putdowns, whilst dedicating his off-season time to mentoring LGBT youth groups up and down the country. He remains silent on any potential boyfriend, although Insta sleuths have frequently spotted him in the company of Parker Di Rossi, who is becoming something of a player in his own right behind the scenes at Summit 434, his family’s elite training facility.

When quizzed about a potential boyfriend, Carter declined to comment, but sources close to him confirmed that Carter’s silence comes from a desire to ‘protect that which is most important to him’, rather than of any shame at having a public relationship. What can we say? We stan a pretty boy with morals.

At least four major league teams are clamouring for Carter’s signature, but they’ll have to wait a bit longer. Carter is jetting to Italy to attend the wedding of fellowhunky graduate and MLS signing Freddie Dyer, where he’ll be acting as Best Man in what many in Italian high society are calling the wedding of the year.

There might not be a blueprint for how an openly gay athlete should navigate through the first years of their professional career, but there are expectations. Carter’s refusal to capitulate, once confounding, is now admirable. That’s why he’s on this list. And why we expect to see him on it for many years to come.

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Okay, so I might not have been super on-board with the idea of Freddie and Sabrina getting marriedstraight after graduation, but even I have to admit, their wedding day is Final Boss level romance.

His parents have flown us out to their villa in Italy, which is so close to Lake Como that they had to hire security to keep out tourists who keep wandering in by accident. Every detail, from the personalised seat cushions at the 200+ person breakfast, to the floating rose petals that spell out the bride and groom’s initials, has been pulled off perfectly.

Not to mention, my Best Man game?

A+, if I do say so myself.

I swear, I worked harder on my speech than I did on my finals.

My dad helped me a lot. He showed me how to craft a story and work in some PG13 anecdotes about Freddie and Sabrina that got a few laughs without horrifying too many of their older relatives. Now that he’s free from Washington he’s setting up his own think-tank, working with organisations on things he really cares about.

Plus, he’s been to watch my games. All of them. Which is pretty cool too.

I sigh happily, looking around. The sun is setting. The cake has been cut, speeches have been made, and most of the guests are dancing the night away to the sound of a steel band.

The only thing that’s missing is Parker.

He’s hard at work rolling out the next phase of his initiative with Summit. His mentorship program, where professional athletes volunteer 10 hours a month to work with disadvantaged kids, is already a massive success. Now he’s onto Phase 2, which is an apprenticeship program for foster care kids to learn practical, on-the-job training to give them the best start once they age out of the system.

He’s already piloted it with Jack, who’s working at Summit and has basically become a surrogate younger brother to us, alongside his whole foster family. Parker even called my dad for advice on how to roll his scheme out state-wide.

It’s early days, but I’m so freaking proud of him. So are Simon and Zara, who are back together. They hosted a big fundraiser last week that raised a ton of money to help get the new project moving. He’s living in a rented house with Will and Archie, and I’m there most weekends. It’s been more than I ever dared dream of.

Still, I wish he was here.

I’d kind of been hoping for my first slow dance.

I reach inside my blazer and pull out my Best Man checklist. The only thing left is to decorate their going away car, but for now I'm happy to lose myself to the sounds of chatter and laughter.

“Uh, excuse me?” I turn to find Louis, one of Freddie’s many nephews. “You’re Brandon Carter, aren’t you?”

“Guilty”, I smile. “Nice to meet you, Louis".

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