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President Obama pays tribute to Robbie Rogers at White House: “We are very proud of you”

This just gave me chills and got me kinda choked up.

Just so proud of Robbie Rogers and proud of our president.

President Barack Obama paid tribute to the first openly gay player in the history of Major League Soccer when members of the Los Angeles Galaxy visited The White House today.

Robbie, standing with his teammates, smile and nodded his head after Obama’s warm words of praise for the player who went public about his sexuality nearly two years ago.

‘My guess is as an athlete Robbie wants to win first and foremost – that’s what competition is all about,’ Obama said. ‘But Robbie, you’ve also inspired a whole lot of folks here and around the world and we are very proud of you.’

Rogers, 27, said later that he texted his mother to let her know what Obama had done. His coming out journey to his family and the rest of the world is detailed in Rogers’ recent memoir Coming Out to Play.

‘I just wasn’t expecting it,’ the player said of Obama’s remarks.

‘For someone who is so accomplished and is so well-respected … to single you out and congratulate you, I’ll never forget it. It was really a special moment and I’ll cherish it always.”’

The Galaxy won the MLS Cup in December.

FILE UNDER: Sports

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One Remark

  1. A very special, touching and proud moment for Robbie, the city of Los Angeles and the LGBT community! Actually Pres. Obama’s entire unedited speech to the LA Kings and Galaxy (on YouTube) was quite entertaining and funny.

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