IN QUOTES

Gay Soccer Player Retired Because “I Wouldn’t Have Been Able To Go Training The Next Day”

robbie-rogers

In football it’s obviously impossible to come out – because no-one has done it. No one. It’s crazy and sad. I thought: ‘Why don’t I step away and deal with this and my family and be happy?’ Imagine going to training every day and being in that spotlight? It’s been a bit of a circus anyway – but that would have been crazy. And you wouldn’t have much control because clubs are pushing you in different directions.

“I was just fearful. I was very fearful how my team-mates were going to react. Was it going to change them? Even though I’d still be the same person would it change the way they acted towards me – when we were in the dressing room or the bus?…

“I don’t think I would have been able to go training the next day. That would be so scary. The guys might have said, ‘That’s great, Robbie.’ Maybe. But because no-one’s done it and because of the things I’ve heard in the dressing room I just thought: ‘I need to get away from this – make my announcement, find peace, go from there.'”

California-born 25-year-old former soccer player Robbie Rogers discusses coming out and retiring with The Guardian. He describes himself in a New York Times profile as a Catholic and a conservative who has never even hooked up with a guy….so free agent?

Photo: Facebook

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