ESPN The Magazine is featuring a dozen professional athletes who have written letters to their younger selves. One of them they tapped is gay MLS player Robbie Rogers. His message is four short paragraphs, but it's powerful. He says to his younger self, among other things:
When guys say things in the locker room, remind yourself that most of them don't actually feel this way. They aren't really homophobic. These are people who are trying to please others, or think that's what they're supposed to say. Everyone is dealing with something whether they're gay or straight. You don't have to feel like you're alone. Which brings me to this: If there's any great advice I can give you, it's to find someone you can speak to about what you're feeling inside, someone you can trust who won't judge or expose you.
We've been working for the last year with GO! Athletes and You Can Play for this very reason: LGBT athletes don't have to feel alone, and their teammates are there for them whether they think so or not. If you're an LGBT athlete in high school or college, GO! Athletes can help.
Check out Rogers' letter, along with those of Abby Wambach, Dwight Howard, Andy Murray, Aaron Rodgers and others.
You can also see Rogers' hand-written letter. If only my signature looked that cool.
GO! Athletes Welcomes YOU! (via GOAthletes)
