It's unfortunate that the fear of being chastised for being gay was such a worry that it prematurely ended his career. However, hopefully mentally he can get things sorted out and maybe return to MLS. I like to think as a society in the USA we would be able to handle an openly gay athlete but I truly don't know. Best wishes to Robbie in his future endeavors.
From reading his statement it sounds more like he is stepping away from football because he wants to do something else with his life. He says that football gave him 'an escape, an identity'. Now that he has come out, perhaps he doesn't feel he needs to be a footballer and a 'cover'. Good luck to him whatever he goes on to do with his life, be that a return to football one day, or an entirely new adventure.
Could be a strength for MLS at some point. You never know. It would be cheap to promote it, but I like to think soccer fans in our country already have to deal with a certain level of marginalization.
I would imagine he'll keep himself busy with his apparel company Halsey 44: http://www.halsey44.com/#/about/4572385850
Good for him! Its sad that he spent so much time not being himself! One day the sports world will be more welcoming!
Xisco formerly of Newcastle United and now for Cordoba is rumored to be gay but he has never officially stated anything.
The only one that i can think of is Anton Hysen, son of former Swedish international and Liverpool defender, Glenn Hysen. His brother is also current Swedish international Tobia Hysen. IIRC, Anton played for BK Hacken and was playing for some club his father managed in the 2nd division. I don't know if he still does, though.
Somewhere millions of women are disappointed by this news. Somewhere else, millions of men are pleased.
I'm on the gay team in our local mens league in the 5th division. We might be slightly beneath his level but if he wants to come play with us we'd be happy to have him.
Have to believe that somebody at the Fire must be trying right now to get him to change his mind about retiring.
Eh, it depends on what he is willing to divulge personally and how good his ghostwriter will be. Greg Louganis had to have made a few bucks off his book - 5 weeks at #1 NYT Bestsellers List, according to Wikipedia. Michael Lewis and Roger (just above me) are correct. There's both a sporting and commercial opportunity here for him (not that he appeared ecstatic to be re-joining MLS as of a recent tweet).
Merritt Paulson has already tweeted that they tried to get him before he went to Stevenage. Gave him big props for coming out.
I admire Robbie's courage in coming out -- good for him! I also admire the class of his teammates who voiced their support for him: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/americ...NhdANtb3JlfHNvY2NlcgRwdANzdG9yeXBhZ2U-;_ylv=3
According to the BBC, there have only been 2 other openly gay footballers. Glenn Hysen's son, who plays in the Swedish lower divisons and Justin Fashanu. Fashanu's is particularly tragic story. Reinforces the long held belief that John Fashanu is a scumbag
BTW, might we surmise that his departure from Heerenveen was caused by this? Or is it pure conjecture?
While 'veen is not Amsterdam - and Catholic (and Protestant for that matter) Fryslan can be surprisingly provincial to those who expects all of the Netherlands to be like the canal ring, I'd be surprised if there was any kind of official reaction/disparagement involved. But stranger things have happened.