Former Leeds United winger Robbie Rogers has claimed that it would have been "impossible" to continue playing professional football after revealing himself to be gay.
The 25-year-old, who came out in February, has claimed that the worry of how his teammates would treat him led to his decision to retire.
"In football it's obviously impossible to come out, because no-one has done it. No one," Rogers told The Guardian. "It's crazy and sad. I thought, 'Why don't I step away and deal with this and my family and be happy?'
"Imagine going to training every day and being in that spotlight? It's been a bit of a circus anyway, but that would have been crazy. And you wouldn't have much control because clubs are pushing you in different directions.
"I was just fearful. I was very fearful how my teammates were going to react. Was it going to change them? Even though I'd still be the same person would it change the way they acted towards me when we were in the dressing room or the bus?"
Rogers, who featured 18 teams for the USA national team, has also stated that life wouldn't have been any easier if he decided to be honest about his sexuality in his youth career.
"It would be so tough," Rogers added. "Would I have had the same opportunities when I was younger if I'd come out? I don't think so. There would have been that mentality, 'Oh he's gay, how will that affect the team?'"
Rogers also had stints at Stevenage during his playing career.
