Robbie Rogers says he received homophobic abuse for the first time since coming out
After being sidelined for more than two months with an Achilles tendon injury, Robbie Rogers made his return for LA Galaxy II against USL side Orange County Blues on Sunday. What was meant to be a positive moment for the 29-year-old was ruined by an opponent allegedly repeatedly calling Rogers an anti-gay slur.
Rogers did not name the opponent, but wrote a Facebook post after the game detailing the incident: "This is my fourth season back in the MLS and I've yet to hear another player use that or any other gay slur during a game," Rogers wrote. "I quickly became enraged, I spent the drive home wishing I had channeled my inner Zidane and punched or head-butted this player even though I knew punching this person wouldn't have helped either of us, my team, or the greater cause of advancing equality in sports."
He added that he was glad he didn't react during the match, though: "I'm happy that I practiced restraint worthy of my sport. I'm thankful for the many players on my team and even the opposing one who apologized to me for one man's actions."
The USL issued a statement Sunday that it has opened an investigation into the incident.
"We are aware of the situation from last night's OC Blues v. LA Galaxy II game and have begun an investigation. The USL has zero tolerance for homophobic or other intolerant behavior. We will discuss the incident with the players, teams and referees involved."
Rogers came out as gay in February of 2013, stepping away from the professional game for a brief hiatus, before returning to MLS with the Los Angeles Galaxy in May. In doing so, he became first openly gay male athlete to join MLS or any of the five major North American sports leagues, and one of the first professional soccer players in the world to come out of the closet.
In his Facebook post on Sunday, he said the incident reaffirmed for him his decision to come out, writing: "I am proud more than ever that I had the courage to come out as a queer man. I feel so fortunate to have gotten to share my story with others and to have gotten to play this sport I love so much as an openly gay person. I am, more than ever, thankful to have teammates and a family that love and support me for the son, brother, partner, father and queer player that I am."
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