Robbie Rogers contemplates returning to U.S. soccer to become first gay athlete in professional men's team sport
Robbie Rogers, the former U.S. soccer
player who retired from the sport after announcing he is gay has talked
about hiding his sexuality in the 'macho' world of professional sports.
In a TV interview with ABC's Nightline, Rogers spoke about going to visit his tight-knit, conservative, Catholic family for the first time since coming out in February.
The 25-year-old also revealed that he is considering returning to soccer in the U.S. This would make Rogers the only openly gay player in any professional men's team sport.
In the interview with Nightline
that will air on Monday, Rogers said he hid his homosexuality so he
could fit in with the soccer environment.
'Because it's sports. It's the stereotype that you're supposed to be this manly guy that is making tackles. It's beating up on other guys,' Rogers explained.
Rogers rose to prominence at Columbus Crew in MLS, scoring 13 goals in over 100 appearances and earning international colors in the process.
He then moved to Leeds United, a team in the second tier of English football, on the advice of USA coach Juergen Klinsmann.
Rogers struggled with injuries and, after making only nine appearances in five months on loan at Stevenage, he decided to call it a day and came out in a heartfelt blog entry.
But Rogers explained: 'I think the
same things that made it difficult for me to come out also gave me the
strength. I was raised to be a voice, to be myself, to be unique, not to
follow a pack.'
While Rogers ponders a future return to soccer in the U.S. he visited his family in Huntington Beach, California, for the first time in person since the announcement and recalled his upbringing.
'You grow up learning that who you are isn't natural, or is a sin,' Rogers said. 'It does have an impact - it scares you, it really scares you.'
But Rogers is content with his
decisions. 'Gay athletes are athletes,' he declared. 'If I go back to
soccer, I want to go back as Robbie. I just want it to be as simple as
that.'
The Southern California native currently based in London, made his announcement in a heartfelt blog entry.
The winger revealed how he would feared he would suffer discrimination if he revealed his sexuality.
In a blog entitled ‘The Next Chapter’, Rogers wrote: ‘Things are never what they seem. My whole life I have felt different. To overcome your fears you must be strong and have faith in your purpose.
‘For the past 25 years I have been afraid to show who I really was because of fear that judgment and rejection would hold me back from my dreams and aspirations.'
Only a handful of footballers have ever announced they are gay as many still fear coming out will damage their careers.
Footballer Justin Fashanu was the first and only English player to publicly announce he was homosexual.
The Norwich City and Nottingham Forest player committed suicide eight years later in 1998.
Rogers, who represented his country 18 times, including at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, also told how he kept his sexuality a secret even from his friends and family.
He wrote: 'Fear that my loved ones would be farthest from me if they knew my secret.
‘Life is only complete when your loved ones know you. When they know your true feelings, when they know who and how you love. Life is simple when your secret is gone. Gone is the pain that lurks in the stomach at work, the pain from avoiding questions, and at last the pain from hiding such a deep secret.
‘Secrets can cause so much internal
damage. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay.
Try convincing yourself that your creator has the most wonderful purpose
for you even though you were taught differently.
‘I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity. Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined… I will always be thankful for my career.’
Rogers, who has more than 75,000 followers finishes his blog with: ‘I will remember Beijing, The MLS Cup, and most of all my teammates. I will never forget the friends I have made along the way and the friends that supported me once they knew my secret.
‘Now is my time to step away. It’s
time to discover myself away from football. It’s 1 A.M. in London as I
write this and I could not be happier with my decision.
'Life is so full of amazing things. I realized I could only truly enjoy my life once I was honest.
'Honesty is a bitch but makes life so simple and clear. My secret is gone, I am a free man, I can move on and live my life as my creator intended.’
Roger played for the U.S. national team 18 times, scoring twice. He featured in all three of the team's games at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad.
Ruth Hunt, director of public affairs for UK-based lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall, said: 'It's great that Robbie now feels able to be open about his sexuality but it remains a shame that no professional player feels able to be out during their career.
'Homophobia remains rife in football and we must work together to stop it for the sake of the game.'
Gordon Taylor, chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association in the U.K., told the Press Association: 'I'm pleased that he's come out for his own sake. We do have players who've said that, while they are gay, they don't feel comfortable enough to come out.
'It's not dissimilar to many black players, and we need to create a safe environment for them on and off the field. If there is abuse, that needs to be dealt with by all the football family.
'It's no bad thing that he's been brave enough to come out. We know of players who are playing who are gay who've not had that confidence as yet. But, as the rest of the world becomes more civilized, hopefully that will come.'
Another American player, David Testo, came out after retiring from football in 2011. He also played for Columbus Crew, albeit before Rogers, later moving to Canada where he played for Vancouver and Montreal.
Justin Fashanu (football) pictured right -
The first - and so far only - top-flight player to publicly admit his
homosexuality. He came out in 1990. After admitting he was gay, Fashanu
struggled to reignite an already stuttering career, and retired in 1997,
blaming his downfall on prejudice in the English game. He committed
suicide in May 1998 aged 37.
Greg Louganis (diving) - The American won a silver medal at the 1976 Olympic Games and followed that with a brace of golds in 1984 and 1988. Louganis' autobiography, released in 1995, detailed his rise to global prominence and subsequent decision to come out as a homosexual living with HIV.
Martina Navratilova (tennis) - The Czech-born nine-time Wimbledon champion came out publicly as gay in 1981, a short time after she was granted US citizenship. The decision hit her sponsorship revenues. 'Prior to being a (US) citizen, I couldn't speak my mind about being gay,' she said. 'But since then I have pretty much said what I think, which has cost me dearly in endorsements.'
Donal Og Cusack (hurling) - The much-decorated Irish star is one of the leading lights of the fast-paced Gaelic game, and became the first elite Irish sportsman to reveal he was gay in his autobiography, 'Come What May'.
John Amaechi (basketball) - The American-born Briton was the first NBA player to openly admit to being gay in 2007. The 6ft 10in star used his autobiography, Man In The Middle, to make public his sexuality.
Gareth Thomas (rugby union) - Thomas, who was Wales' most-capped player and a former British and Irish Lions captain, publicly announced he was gay in December 2009 at the age of 35. He said: 'I just want to thank everyone for the amazing response I have received.'
Steven Davies (cricket) - The England and Surrey wicketkeeper became the first active professional cricketer to openly admit to being gay in February 2011. Davies told British newspaper The Sun: 'I'm comfortable with who I am - and happy to say who I am in public. To speak out is a massive relief for me.'
In a TV interview with ABC's Nightline, Rogers spoke about going to visit his tight-knit, conservative, Catholic family for the first time since coming out in February.
The 25-year-old also revealed that he is considering returning to soccer in the U.S. This would make Rogers the only openly gay player in any professional men's team sport.
Scroll down for video
Honest: In a TV interview with ABC's Nightline,
Rogers spoke about going to visit his tight-knit, conservative, Catholic
family for the first time since coming out in February
'Because it's sports. It's the stereotype that you're supposed to be this manly guy that is making tackles. It's beating up on other guys,' Rogers explained.
Rogers rose to prominence at Columbus Crew in MLS, scoring 13 goals in over 100 appearances and earning international colors in the process.
He then moved to Leeds United, a team in the second tier of English football, on the advice of USA coach Juergen Klinsmann.
Rogers struggled with injuries and, after making only nine appearances in five months on loan at Stevenage, he decided to call it a day and came out in a heartfelt blog entry.
Video: Robbie Rogers talks about coming out in professional sports
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While Rogers ponders a future return to soccer in the U.S. he visited his family in Huntington Beach, California, for the first time in person since the announcement and recalled his upbringing.
'You grow up learning that who you are isn't natural, or is a sin,' Rogers said. 'It does have an impact - it scares you, it really scares you.'
Star: Rogers rose to prominence at Columbus Crew
in MLS, scoring 13 goals in over 100 appearances and earning
international colors in the process
The Southern California native currently based in London, made his announcement in a heartfelt blog entry.
The winger revealed how he would feared he would suffer discrimination if he revealed his sexuality.
In a blog entitled ‘The Next Chapter’, Rogers wrote: ‘Things are never what they seem. My whole life I have felt different. To overcome your fears you must be strong and have faith in your purpose.
‘For the past 25 years I have been afraid to show who I really was because of fear that judgment and rejection would hold me back from my dreams and aspirations.'
Only a handful of footballers have ever announced they are gay as many still fear coming out will damage their careers.
Footballer Justin Fashanu was the first and only English player to publicly announce he was homosexual.
The Norwich City and Nottingham Forest player committed suicide eight years later in 1998.
Rogers, who represented his country 18 times, including at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, also told how he kept his sexuality a secret even from his friends and family.
He wrote: 'Fear that my loved ones would be farthest from me if they knew my secret.
‘Life is only complete when your loved ones know you. When they know your true feelings, when they know who and how you love. Life is simple when your secret is gone. Gone is the pain that lurks in the stomach at work, the pain from avoiding questions, and at last the pain from hiding such a deep secret.
Write caption here
‘I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity. Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined… I will always be thankful for my career.’
Rogers, who has more than 75,000 followers finishes his blog with: ‘I will remember Beijing, The MLS Cup, and most of all my teammates. I will never forget the friends I have made along the way and the friends that supported me once they knew my secret.
MLS PLAYERS TWEET THEIR SUPPORT FOR ROBBIE ROGERS
A host of MLS players and international teammates have voiced their encouragement about Rogers' decision.
New England Revolution and U.S. midfielder Benny Feilhaber wrote: 'proud to call you my friend.'
New York Red Bulls and U.S. defender Heath Pearce tweeted: 'proud of you fam!'
Chivas USA keeper Dan Kennedy offered 'ur the man Robbie we support u bro,' while teammate Juan Agudelo tweeted: 'Respect man. Proud of you bro.'
LA Galaxy and USA center back Omar Gonzalez wrote, 'Congrats, Robbie! Really happy for you.'
Gonzalez's fellow LA defender A.J. DeLaGarza tweeted, 'good for you man! All the best! Terps.'
FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz praised Rogers' courage saying, 'really want to give a huge shout out to a great friend for being one of the bravest men I know'
D.C. United's Chris Pontius wrote, 'Much respect. Nothing but support for you.'
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Jordan Harvey chimed in with: 'Congrats brotha. Wish you the best.'
New England Revolution and U.S. midfielder Benny Feilhaber wrote: 'proud to call you my friend.'
New York Red Bulls and U.S. defender Heath Pearce tweeted: 'proud of you fam!'
Chivas USA keeper Dan Kennedy offered 'ur the man Robbie we support u bro,' while teammate Juan Agudelo tweeted: 'Respect man. Proud of you bro.'
LA Galaxy and USA center back Omar Gonzalez wrote, 'Congrats, Robbie! Really happy for you.'
Gonzalez's fellow LA defender A.J. DeLaGarza tweeted, 'good for you man! All the best! Terps.'
FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz praised Rogers' courage saying, 'really want to give a huge shout out to a great friend for being one of the bravest men I know'
D.C. United's Chris Pontius wrote, 'Much respect. Nothing but support for you.'
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Jordan Harvey chimed in with: 'Congrats brotha. Wish you the best.'
'Life is so full of amazing things. I realized I could only truly enjoy my life once I was honest.
'Honesty is a bitch but makes life so simple and clear. My secret is gone, I am a free man, I can move on and live my life as my creator intended.’
Roger played for the U.S. national team 18 times, scoring twice. He featured in all three of the team's games at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad.
Ruth Hunt, director of public affairs for UK-based lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall, said: 'It's great that Robbie now feels able to be open about his sexuality but it remains a shame that no professional player feels able to be out during their career.
'Homophobia remains rife in football and we must work together to stop it for the sake of the game.'
Gordon Taylor, chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association in the U.K., told the Press Association: 'I'm pleased that he's come out for his own sake. We do have players who've said that, while they are gay, they don't feel comfortable enough to come out.
'It's not dissimilar to many black players, and we need to create a safe environment for them on and off the field. If there is abuse, that needs to be dealt with by all the football family.
'It's no bad thing that he's been brave enough to come out. We know of players who are playing who are gay who've not had that confidence as yet. But, as the rest of the world becomes more civilized, hopefully that will come.'
Another American player, David Testo, came out after retiring from football in 2011. He also played for Columbus Crew, albeit before Rogers, later moving to Canada where he played for Vancouver and Montreal.
ATHLETES WHO HAVE COME OUT
Greg Louganis (diving) - The American won a silver medal at the 1976 Olympic Games and followed that with a brace of golds in 1984 and 1988. Louganis' autobiography, released in 1995, detailed his rise to global prominence and subsequent decision to come out as a homosexual living with HIV.
Martina Navratilova (tennis) - The Czech-born nine-time Wimbledon champion came out publicly as gay in 1981, a short time after she was granted US citizenship. The decision hit her sponsorship revenues. 'Prior to being a (US) citizen, I couldn't speak my mind about being gay,' she said. 'But since then I have pretty much said what I think, which has cost me dearly in endorsements.'
Donal Og Cusack (hurling) - The much-decorated Irish star is one of the leading lights of the fast-paced Gaelic game, and became the first elite Irish sportsman to reveal he was gay in his autobiography, 'Come What May'.
John Amaechi (basketball) - The American-born Briton was the first NBA player to openly admit to being gay in 2007. The 6ft 10in star used his autobiography, Man In The Middle, to make public his sexuality.
Gareth Thomas (rugby union) - Thomas, who was Wales' most-capped player and a former British and Irish Lions captain, publicly announced he was gay in December 2009 at the age of 35. He said: 'I just want to thank everyone for the amazing response I have received.'
Steven Davies (cricket) - The England and Surrey wicketkeeper became the first active professional cricketer to openly admit to being gay in February 2011. Davies told British newspaper The Sun: 'I'm comfortable with who I am - and happy to say who I am in public. To speak out is a massive relief for me.'