http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...2Bpost&utm_campaign=Facebook-MLSsoccer%2Bpost 25 year old Robbie Rogers has become perhaps the most high profile footballer to come out as gay in recent times, and has also said that he will be taking a break from football. There doesn't seem to be any mention of why he's stepping away from football. Do we think the fact he's gay is the reason why he's taking a break?
I don't know if that is why he is taking a break, but if there are homosexual footballers, I just wish our society/sport would allow them to feel they should not have to hide it or live in fear of people knowing. What the hell sexuality has to do with football, I really don't know. When this starts to happen in our game, "we" will show the neanderthal side of following.
I think it is the reason. A real shame. Good to see lots of support for Rogers via Twitter and the like from fellow pros and ex-team-mates. He mentioned that football had been good for hiding his homosexuality and maybe he wants a different course in life? Either way, respect and good luck with whatever he chooses to do!
Just to give people an idea of what people are saying... DaMarcus Beasley ‏@DaMarcusBeasley I have a lot of respect for my boy @robbierogers. good luck in your next adventure man!! Stuart Holden ‏@stuholden Much love and respect to my boy @robbierogers ! Proud to be your friend bro Chris Pontius ‏@ChrisPontius13 (DC United) Much respect @robbierogers. Nothing but support for you Clarke Carlisle ‏@clarkecarlisle5 Huge admiration for @robbierogers - I hope retirement is not because of this revelation, you have our respect & support wherever you go!
Best of luck to the guy. Incidentally, it is the 21st Century isn't it? Even a high profile rugby player's come out as gay. Can't be that long before football catches up with the rest of the civilised world.
Good luck to him. I hope he didn't feel he had to step away from football before making the decision to come out though, and I hope it isn't a permanent break.
Guys I have difficulty with this statement of coming out........To be honest I see it as nothing but a publicity stunt to attract admirers. As others have said what has your sexuality got to do with anything. Why do you have to announce to the world you prefer Men to women. Why would it be necessary for someone straight to announce they're straight. I am sure most of his fellow professionals don't give a damn as long as he doesn't try anything with them. Surely by announcing his preference it is likely to cause more problems than not. Whereas people may have thought that about him but would not have been particularly bothered. Is it just me or am I being a bit old fashioned?
The only reason this (should be) is newsworthy is the fact that he is leaving football at 25. If he feels he has to give up football because of external pressure from his football community then he should name and shame them and if he feels that he can only do that outside the community then I understand. Like others I hope the fact that he is leaving football is not directly related to his sexual orientation but the cynic/realist in me thinks he must have been bullied into it.
Beddy, the player is in the public eye. Like it or not, players are sports/entertainers, and people will argue [dubiously on some occasions] that because of this, it is in the public interest to know the details of this person's life, because they could be considered a role model. There's the basis for a player/entertainer announcing something to the public, be it their new girl/boyfriend, their new offspring, their new house, new car, new contract, or even their sexuality. It's all considered public property. Are you being old fashioned..? I believe your values come from the right direction, but the modern world has moved on a bit. Perhaps too fast and too far..? That's up to you. Good luck to the guy. I hope the greater football world can wholly accept it. We have moved on a great deal from the days of Justin Fashanu, but I suspect there are some who are already writing their acid jokes and chants.
Not old-fashioned, just a little ignorant. People feel the need to 'come out' because your sexuality is a huge part of who you are, and people reasonably assume until told otherwise that you are straight. If you don't come out and it is later discovered that you are gay, which is pretty likely at some point, say when you introduce your same-sex partner to your friends, people feel misled and react more strongly than if they had been told beforehand. Just imagine if you had a kid who was gay, would you prefer him to sit you down and explain first, or just turn up at your house with his boyfriend?
There will be dozens of gay professional footballers playing in our leagues, it just isnt public knowledge. The proprtion of gay footballers is likely to reflect that of the rest of society. Like Beddy, i dont really see the need to 'come out' but that is probably more to do with the fact that i don't care. I also dont care who Frank Lampard is dating or who Ryan Giggs is having an affair with. I would be suprised if their teamates and fellow footballers did not know. Unfortunately any openly gay footballer is likely to get grief from the fans over it, there are idiots in every crowd.
It's not, but the topic of sexuality in football has become something of a big deal recently, rightly or wrongly.
There is very little SFC related news at present. I think we can relax occasionally. I'm thinking of devising a Saints related 20 question quiz, if anyone's interested..? Just to get us through the next few days, etc...
When a person in the public eye "comes out" and isn't publicly vilified and mocked, it can serve to encourage others who aren't to have the courage to do it themselves. Why on earth would somebody have a problem with a gay man coming onto them? Being gay doesn't make you a rapist. To be blunt, yes you are.
Because people are idiots, and in the US, there is still a considerable fear that gay people are just lurking in the background, waiting for the opportunity to sexually assault everything in their path. The locker room is one of the last bastions of homophobia, though that's changing slowly.
Sherwood I so totally agree I think by coming out it will lead to unfortunate bating from the crowd and then you will hear about sexual harressment or discrimination or some such. Surely it is not wise to be so open? PTF.....Surprised you think me "a little ignorant"....Especially as I do have a very high profile relative who is gay. The difference is while they are open with there choice of friends they have never felt the need to make a big announcement about it. They just got on with their lives and if others don't like it tough. So no I don't think it is ignorance just puzzlement.........Although as I said I query if I am being old fashioned a bit inmy views.
Pieking............... mate I accept I may be being old fashioned.....you have not answered the $million dollar question though....Why do they need to come out at all? What the heck has it to do with anyone else? I personally do not have a problem with gay people at all. My comment about gays coming on to straight people is a very long way away from accusing or suggesting they are rapists. Talk about over the top.......... However it could cause a lot of problems as straight people might find that to be offensive. Most that I have spoken to in regards to this subject have said much similar. They do not have a problem with gay folk but would not like to be approached or regarded as possible gays themselves.
With the masses of homophobia still around in the world, don't you think it can help people hiding their sexuality if people in the public eye do it? Why is a a gay guy coming onto you offensive? You just say no and carry on. The vast, vast majority will not have a problem. It's not as if they're going to try and force themselves on you. Also, the very fact so many people see being outed as gay as being such a negative thing just confirms the homophobia of so many people even today.
