leeslover Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/news/9874051/Former-Leeds-and-USA-midfielder-Robbie-Rogers-reveals-he-is-gay.html I must say this story, or the way it has been reported, has got my goat. If you read his statement, he has clearly been deeply troubled by living in denial all his life, including family issues, and has a deep-rooted religious angle to it. Why is this reported as an issue in football rather than in the man's life? The bloke has retired after not making the grade in England and being crocked for most of the last two years. I make the odd joke at Ackey's expense but we all know it's just in fun. No doubt the first lower league footballer to be openly gay would get a bit of chanting every week off a few fools, but I honestly don't think many people would care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangerinedreams Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Why has it even made the news? Big deal- the lad is gay, so :censored:in what! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davegtt Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Why has it even made the news? Big deal- the lad is gay, so :censored:in what! Exactly my thoughts, probably his own fault if he's lived a crappy life in denial. Got to be true to yourself if you expect other people to respect you imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusoe Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 It made the news because professional sports is one industry that still massively stigmatises being gay, to the degree that only three professional footballers have ever come out. And one of them committed suicide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 It made the news because professional sports is one industry that still massively stigmatises being gay, to the degree that only three professional footballers have ever come out. And one of them committed suicide. I'm not saying it's easy, but the world has moved on since Brian Clough bullying Fashanu in 1980. Gareth Thomas seemed to do OK coming out in the rugby world, we all know who a number of gay footballers are and don't really care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusoe Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I still think a footballer coming out would get dog's abuse from crowds, and possibly ostracised in the dressing room. The few footballers I've met haven't struck me as thoughtful, tolerant types (yeah, I know, generalising is bad). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ritchie Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Rugby is a more accepting sport than football. In terms of fans. Especially Rugby League which prides itself on a family crowd since they moved to summer rugby and adopted names such as - Rhinos, Tigers, Bulls etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 Rugby is a more accepting sport than football. In terms of fans. Especially Rugby League which prides itself on a family crowd since they moved to summer rugby and adopted names such as - Rhinos, Tigers, Bulls etc. Arguable - is the average punter passing the gates at Fulham or Arsenal less open to diverse sexual practices than the guy going into a Rugby League match? Not meaning to paint League fans as bigots I should add. I do accept that an openly gay player at our level would get some stick, but I reckon if it was one of our own the vast majority of our fans would back him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forte_Baby Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I still think a footballer coming out would get dog's abuse from crowds, and possibly ostracised in the dressing room. The few footballers I've met haven't struck me as thoughtful, tolerant types (yeah, I know, generalising is bad). Think there is more to it than just the abuse, all the extra unwanted attention from all the pc brigrade who will expect him to appear in allese ck it out/respect campaigns wanting him to be in the limelight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forte_Baby Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Last sentence should say want him to appear in all these kick it out respect/campaigns alot of gay right campaigners may expect him to be seen as a role model where he may not of wanted that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavinodriscoll Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 As a gay man, I can tell you coming out to your loved ones is incredibly hard. Not knowing if there going to be excepting, which was the main reason why I didn't come out till I was 24. I can only imagine how hard it would be to be gay in any professional sport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I can only imagine how hard it would be to be gay in any professional sport Precisely; the decision to 'go public' with this in major sports is a huge risk, unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 I know this sounds naive but I've always find it amazing that it should matter so much who's shagging whom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankly Mr Shankly Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Isn't one of the reasons because of the huge financial implications? Footballers are handsomely paid, even out our level. For one to 'come out', it could have a huge impact especially if any reaction affects his on-field performances. It stands to reason there are quite a few hiding this aspect of their lives given how many professional footballers there are. It's a shame that they have to but I can understand completely why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudemedic Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Isn't one of the reasons because of the huge financial implications? Footballers are handsomely paid, even out our level. For one to 'come out', it could have a huge impact especially if any reaction affects his on-field performances. It stands to reason there are quite a few hiding this aspect of their lives given how many professional footballers there are. It's a shame that they have to but I can understand completely why. I think I saw a programme that says the first one to do it, unless they are making multi-millions in endorsements will make money as they will then get the endorsements from companies that want a gay footballer. No football club would be daft enough to have any gay player loose money due to discrimination laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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