Robbie Rogers said this week that he
knows closeted professional athletes whom he doesn't believe will
ever come out.
Rogers, 27, last year became the MLS's
first openly gay player.
He recently released a memoir on his
experience titled Coming
Out To Play.
Speaking with Michigan gay weekly
PrideSource,
Rogers said that he knows several closeted professional athletes.
“Do you know a lot of gay sports
players who aren't out?” he was asked.
“Uh, I know a few,” Rogers
answered. “I don't think they're ever gonna come out.”
“I mean, maybe once they're done
playing, but I just think their lives – I'm not sure,” he added.
“That's a good question. I don't know. But I do know a few.
Sometimes people have been living a certain way for a long time and
are afraid to make a change.”
When asked about his plans as an LGBT
rights advocate, Rogers said he's just “living every day as it
comes.”
“I just think of myself as Robbie. I
play soccer, and yes, I'm gay. And I'm happy to be that person,”
he answered.