Robbie Rogers: A History in the Making

Robbie Rogers is a former midfielder for the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer and Leeds United in England. He represented the United States at the U18 and U20 levels, and made several appearances for the United States Men’s National Team in World Cup qualifying, CONCACAF Gold Cups, and in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He recently signed a 4-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Why is this significant? Because in his personal blog this past February, at the age of 25, Rogers publicly came out as a gay man and said he was retiring from professional soccer.

This story is not a new one—obviously American journalists have been covering Roger’s story since…well…February. And at the time, like many other Americans engrossed in soccer culture, I was greatly disappointed that he was calling it quits. He may not be the best American soccer player ever to play the beautiful game professionally, but all of us agreed that at his age with the level of talent he did have for him to retire because he was gay was simply a crime to international football.

I understand his decision though. As a California native, he was living in England at the time—a more distinctly homophobic sports culture than the United States. He was coming out—a disorienting experience I remember all too well myself—which meant he needed to find his place in the world again, on his own terms.

However, I do not think he expected the reaction he would receive from former teammates, players, coaches, and fans…particularly on Twitter.

I was one of those fans. I encouraged him to come back to the game…when he was ready. And I have particularly enjoyed watching Roger’s turn-around over the last three to four months. He essentially went from “I’m gay; I guess I can’t play soccer anymore” to “Who cares! I love soccer too much to give it up.” And just like that (on May 25, 2013) Robbie Rogers signed with the Galaxy to play in Major League Soccer.

Alright, I admit, NBA star Jason Collins technically made the history by coming out as the first active male athlete in American team sports—I use the term ‘active’ loosely because at the time he was still a free agent. But in reality, it was Rogers who helped Collins to come out; he even admits asking Rogers for advice before making his historic interview!

So take it how you want, but I am giving Rogers the credit. After all, Rogers did become the first openly gay active male athlete to play in American sports by coming on as a substitute for the Galaxy in the 75th minute of a 4-0 thrashing of the Seattle Sounders (coached by Sigi Schmid, Roger’s former coach from his Columbus Crew days)—just two days after signing for the LA Galaxy.

That was a special moment, which I personally stayed up till 2 a.m. on the east coast to watch on ESPN. Hearing that crowd cheer him on brought tears to my eyes. And last night Rogers made even more history by making his first MLS start for the Galaxy against the Portland Timbers, which ended in a 0-0 draw (Rogers only lasted 69 minutes in this one before being substituted).

And again, he is not the most talented player out there—and he does look like a player who has been on a six-month break—but he is a threat combining down the wings and offering up a good service of the ball on set pieces. Just give him some time to gain some match fitness, and I know he will be a key player for the Galaxy down the road.

And despite the fact that I am NOT an LA Galaxy fan in the slightest, I bought his jersey nonetheless—#14, by the way. And I will wear it because it is not just about the team’s crest on the front of the jersey that counts. Like it or not, Robbie represents something much more than that.

For a long time, sports—and soccer, especially in Europe—has been and continues to be one of the most homophobic and heteronormative venues in society. In fact, up until April (when NBA’s Jason Collins came out) the sports environment was arguably the last great battalion still standing against the rising trend of LGBT equality and acceptance.

The presence of Jason and Robbie—and anyone who follows after them—proves that being gay does not automatically mean being anti-sports. I fight that stereotype every day. The fact is, gay people can be just as athletic, just as competitive; and we long for the day where being a gay athlete is not a newsworthy story.

And until that time comes, I will wear Robbie Roger’s LA Galaxy jersey with pride. I will relish and share every interview he gives. I will hope for him to get a call up to the USMNT, once again. And he will be my favorite player until the day he retires…for real.

So, here’s to you, Robbie! I am right there with you.