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Emma Watson shows support for Keegan Hirst

The actress lauded the rugby player for having physical and moral courage.

By Annie Martin
Emma Watson at the TIME 100 gala on April 21. The actress showed her support for Keegan Hirst on Tuesday. File photo by John Angelillo/UPI
1 of 5 | Emma Watson at the TIME 100 gala on April 21. The actress showed her support for Keegan Hirst on Tuesday. File photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

LONDON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Emma Watson took to Twitter to show her support for Keegan Hirst on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old English actress praised her 27-year-old fellow Brit for his bravery after Hirst became Britain's first openly gay rugby player this week. The athlete revealed his story to The Mirror on Sunday.

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"Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation," Watson wrote, citing the Wikipedia definition of courage.

"Physical courage is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death or threat of death, while moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal or discouragement @KeeganHirst #gotboth."

Hirst and his wife separated this year after more than three years of marriage, and share two children. The Batley Bulldogs captain said his ex and teammates have been supportive, and compared the relief of coming out to "letting out a long breath that [he's] held in for a long time."

Keegan Hirst of the Batley Bulldogs came out as gay this week. Twitter/Keegan Hirst

Watson is known for her activism and support for gender equality. The actress last appeared in Noah with Russell Crowe, and is scheduled for Regression with Ethan Hawke, Beauty and the Beast with Dan Stevens and The Circle with Tom Hanks.

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