|
http://www.latimes.com/sports/sport...0,1087779.story US International and former Leeds player Robbie Rogers came out today announcing he is gay and is taking some time away from the game. Even money this is a career-ending move for him but it's a breath of fresh air. He's only 25 with 18 caps for the US and potentially has quite a long career ahead of him. Good for him I say, maybe this will help some other players get the courage to come out(it won't).
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 19:13 |
|
|
|
| # ? May 19, 2013 03:13 |
|
|
Shrapnac posted:Even money this is a career-ending move for him but it's a breath of fresh air. He's only 25 with 18 caps for the US and potentially has quite a long career ahead of him. If he can get fit again I think he will get offers.
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 19:22 |
|
|
I'm a little sad about this because he hardly appeared for Stevenage. I assumed this was down to debilitating injuries, but it turns out it might have been due to our locker room being profoundly intolerant making him sad and quit the game altogether? I would have assumed that MLS would be a better environment for a gay footballer than in Europe because the culture isn't as ingrained, hope this does lead to some kind of change.
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 19:24 |
|
|
Psybro posted:I would have assumed that MLS would be a better environment for a gay footballer than in Europe because the culture isn't as ingrained, hope this does lead to some kind of change. Eh, I wouldn't really say that. A few (different) MLS players got bans for calling ballboys and the like "faggots" the past season. Not to mention what goes on in other other sports leagues. MLS still has a way to go. (Note to Philly: Do not have a Chick-Fil-A promotion a few day before the city's gay pride parade) Still, even though Robbie Rogers may be bad at footballing, he's a much better human for this. Stay strong 
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 19:31 |
|
|
DOOP posted:
Eh, Rogers isn't(wasn't?) that bad. He has the tools, but he always seemed to have this mental block about him and his game. Now we know why.
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 19:40 |
|
|
DOOP posted:Eh, I wouldn't really say that. A few (different) MLS players got bans for calling ballboys and the like "faggots" the past season. If British players called ballboys faggots I don't think there'd be much of a scandal.
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 19:41 |
|
|
trashcangammy posted:If British players called ballboys faggots I don't think there'd be much of a scandal. Depends on who hears it, but it's certainly a term of abuse these days.
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 19:43 |
|
|
INKRO posted:Eh, Rogers isn't(wasn't?) that bad. He has the tools, but he always seemed to have this mental block about him and his game. Now we know why. Yeah, a lot of us here in Columbus gave him a lot of poo poo about his play falling off his last two seasons here. I hope that this wasn't the reason, but it seems like it could have been. Seemed like he played well for Sigi, but once Robert took over he fell apart. I don't know if there's anything to that or not, or if Robert is just a lovely man manager (he is) shoplifter fucked around with this message at Feb 15, 2013 around 19:49 |
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 19:46 |
|
|
This is actually a big missed opportunity for English football to nail this one down. 'Leeds United player Robbie Rogers comes out' would have been massive in a way that 'Unemployed American comes out' isn't. But then, that's the whole point.
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 19:47 |
|
|
He was out of shape I think his last year in MLS and definitely at Leeds, carried a bit too much babyfat. I don't think its fair to say other players weren't tolerant, if he hasn't said so himself. He just didn't seem dedicated enough anymore. I remember watching him at the U-20 world cup and he was incredible, playing against the likes of Pato, Suarez, Cavani, he stood out and helped USA beat Uruguay and Brazil.
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 22:05 |
|
|
I can imagine that if he was struggling with his sexuality (which is the impression I get from his blog post, or at the very least he worried about acceptance from teammates, friends and family), it could have affected him on the pitch.
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 22:24 |
|
|
The general response from leeds fans and players both past and present is of nothing but support, really hope that he can really be used an example in helping to combat archaic attitudes
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 22:59 |
|
|
Robert Snodgrass posted:"Full respect to Robbie Rogers coming out. Just shows there are more gay players than we think. I didn't have one indication he was gay. Respect bro." As in 'one'.
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 23:05 |
|
|
I think you'll see nothing but praise in the public eye. No one high profile enough to have the media listen to them is going to condemn him. What will be really telling will be the reaction at a much lower level, i.e. if he gets homophobic abuse if he ever plays again, that kind of thing. I really hope he doesn't, but considering the video of that Milwall fan and the shocking amount of racism on show this and last season I would be more surprised if it doesn't happen than if it does.
|
| # ? Feb 15, 2013 23:49 |
|
|
shoplifter posted:Yeah, a lot of us here in Columbus gave him a lot of poo poo about his play falling off his last two seasons here. I hope that this wasn't the reason, but it seems like it could have been. Seemed like he played well for Sigi, but once Robert took over he fell apart. I don't know if there's anything to that or not, or if Robert is just a lovely man manager (he is) Best of luck to RR with whatever the future holds for him.
|
| # ? Feb 16, 2013 02:27 |
|
|
NeoNaoNeo posted:As in 'one'.
|
| # ? Feb 16, 2013 02:48 |
|
|
The Fire said they still want him back. I hope he decides to lace up again. I'm sure eventually society will get to the point that it is no big deal for someone to be an openly gay professional athlete. I look forward to the day when this isn't a news story.
|
| # ? Feb 16, 2013 05:58 |
|
|
vyelkin posted:I think you'll see nothing but praise in the public eye. No one high profile enough to have the media listen to them is going to condemn him. What will be really telling will be the reaction at a much lower level, i.e. if he gets homophobic abuse if he ever plays again, that kind of thing. I really hope he doesn't, but considering the video of that Milwall fan and the shocking amount of racism on show this and last season I would be more surprised if it doesn't happen than if it does. Every time that has happened the guilty party has been tracked down and dragged in front of the courts though, there's not much more that can be done to show that kind of idiot they're not welcome anywhere.
|
| # ? Feb 16, 2013 09:52 |
|
|
Fat Guy Sexting posted:Every time that has happened the guilty party has been tracked down and dragged in front of the courts though, there's not much more that can be done to show that kind of idiot they're not welcome anywhere. It is actually encouraged at Millwall unless sky sports finds out
|
| # ? Feb 16, 2013 10:10 |
|
|
Good luck to him and other gay footballers who haven't come out yet if they decide to follow Rogers, such as [REMOVED] T. Finn Edit- NO RUSS. This isn't worth the legal trouble that comes with this bullshit. These forums get enough lawsuits as it is without dumb speculation. Stop.
|
| # ? Feb 16, 2013 12:57 |
|
|
Wow would somebody actually sue SA for accusing them of being gay?
|
| # ? Feb 16, 2013 13:46 |
|
|
It's poo poo to out someone against their wishes anyway
|
| # ? Feb 16, 2013 13:50 |
|
|
Fat Guy Sexting posted:Every time that has happened the guilty party has been tracked down and dragged in front of the courts though, there's not much more that can be done to show that kind of idiot they're not welcome anywhere. Yeah, but sadly this doesn't stop it from happening. Don't get me wrong, I really hope that the reaction to Rogers' announcement is 100% support and that no one ever chants a homophobic thing at him in a game ever, and no players ever treat him differently because of it, but given the state of football I just can't see that being the case.
|
| # ? Feb 16, 2013 14:52 |
|
|
Pobrecito posted:Agreed, Columbus fan here and he always seemed to have amazing potential, both for the Crew and the US, but he was very very streaky and played like a headcase, which now is understandable. I don't think it's fair to blame all his playing problems on him covering up his sexuality.
|
| # ? Feb 16, 2013 15:12 |
|
|
sassassin posted:I don't think it's fair to blame all his playing problems on him covering up his sexuality. Ali Dia was actually amazing, but people are such assholes.
|
| # ? Feb 16, 2013 16:51 |
|
|
sassassin posted:I don't think it's fair to blame all his playing problems on him covering up his sexuality. Maybe being gay is not compatible with being good enough to play football professionally? Like how there aren't any good Indian players because their families have other priorities. I played with girls before and I play much worse than usual because of being attracted to them. It's a distraction and we have seen what distraction can do to a performance. That's what I think anyway, as a (mostly) non-bigot. (USER WAS PUT ON PROBATION FOR THIS POST)
|
| # ? Feb 17, 2013 23:21 |
|
|
Breath Ray posted:Maybe being gay is not compatible with being good enough to play football professionally? Like how there aren't any good Indian players because their families have other priorities. I played with girls before and I play much worse than usual because of being attracted to them. It's a distraction and we have seen what distraction can do to a performance. That's what I think anyway, as a (mostly) non-bigot. what is wrong with you
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 02:32 |
|
|
Breath Ray posted:Maybe being gay is not compatible with being good enough to play football professionally? Like how there aren't any good Indian players because their families have other priorities. I played with girls before and I play much worse than usual because of being attracted to them. It's a distraction and we have seen what distraction can do to a performance. That's what I think anyway, as a (mostly) non-bigot. loving hell mate.
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 04:14 |
|
|
Breath Ray posted:Maybe being gay is not compatible with being good enough to play football professionally? Like how there aren't any good Indian players because their families have other priorities. I played with girls before and I play much worse than usual because of being attracted to them. It's a distraction and we have seen what distraction can do to a performance. That's what I think anyway, as a (mostly) non-bigot. I don't understand people like you.
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 04:28 |
|
|
Breath Ray posted:Maybe being gay is not compatible with being good enough to play football professionally? Like how there aren't any good Indian players because their families have other priorities. I played with girls before and I play much worse than usual because of being attracted to them. It's a distraction and we have seen what distraction can do to a performance. That's what I think anyway, as a (mostly) non-bigot. What the poo poo is going on in your head?
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 04:32 |
|
|
Breath Ray posted:Maybe being gay is not compatible with being good enough to play football professionally? Like how there aren't any good Indian players because their families have other priorities. I played with girls before and I play much worse than usual because of being attracted to them. It's a distraction and we have seen what distraction can do to a performance. That's what I think anyway, as a bigot. fixed
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 04:36 |
|
|
Breath Ray posted:Maybe being gay is not compatible with being good enough to play football professionally? Like how there aren't any good Indian players because their families have other priorities. I played with girls before and I play much worse than usual because of being attracted to them. It's a distraction and we have seen what distraction can do to a performance. That's what I think anyway, as a (mostly) non-bigot. there's no room for this in the modern posting game
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 04:38 |
|
|
Breath Ray posted:Maybe being gay is not compatible with being good enough to play football professionally? Like how there aren't any good Indian players because their families have other priorities. I played with girls before and I play much worse than usual because of being attracted to them. It's a distraction and we have seen what distraction can do to a performance. That's what I think anyway, as a (mostly) non-bigot. 
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 04:51 |
|
|
Breath Ray posted:Maybe being gay is not compatible with being good enough to play football professionally? Like how there aren't any good Indian players because their families have other priorities. I played with girls before and I play much worse than usual because of being attracted to them. It's a distraction and we have seen what distraction can do to a performance. That's what I think anyway, as a (mostly) non-bigot. You're talking about FIFA, right?
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 05:14 |
|
|
Breath Ray posted:Maybe being gay is not compatible with being good enough to play football professionally? Like how there aren't any good Indian players because their families have other priorities. I played with girls before and I play much worse than usual because of being attracted to them. It's a distraction and we have seen what distraction can do to a performance. That's what I think anyway, as a (mostly) non-bigot. wrong thread
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 05:20 |
|
|
Drogadon posted:wrong thread Is there a special thread for dumb bigots?
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 06:19 |
|
|
Akbar posted:Is there a special thread for dumb bigots? Yes at the top of the forum, everyone else let's move on from a silly post and continue to discuss the topic in the OP which imo will be something that will be commonplace and non-noteworthy within a decade. I'm telling you by 2023 no one will give a gently caress about gay teammates. This is my honest feeling, and I don't think it is too optimistic at all.
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 06:24 |
|
|
I think it will vary greatly by country. In most of the west, the players in 10 years from now will have grown up in societies where being openly gay was accepted and won't bring that prejudice into the locker room. However in other parts of the world that change will come more slowly. I think it will be similar to racism. In the west the vast majority of players and fans don't care about race but sadly its still an issue in many parts of the world.
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 07:14 |
|
|
I think Gareth Thomas coming out has was a big step, but most only seem able to do it when they retire: if at all. It does seem bizarre that it was almost 25 years since Fashanu came out and only a handful since then have felt able to do so. Not much progress really.
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 08:22 |
|
|
|
| # ? May 19, 2013 03:13 |
|
|
Stinky Pit posted:In most of the west, the players in 10 years from now will have grown up in societies where being openly gay was accepted and won't bring that prejudice into the locker room. I'm not sure it's the players that are the problem, they are probably more scared of the fans reaction. Elland Rd holds, what, 40,000? I'm sure the prospect of facing that many people each week making up songs about you isn't something most people would choose to do. Until the fans are tackled and that sort of thing becomes as unacceptable as monkey chants and throwing fruit on the pitch this one isn't going to move much.
|
| # ? Feb 18, 2013 08:33 |
|
