My chat with LA Galaxy star Robbie Rogers about his new contract and his new book

It was quite a night at the Pacific Design Center on Thursday where hundreds of people gathered for a book party celebrating the publication of Robbie Rogers’ memoir Coming Out to Play.

I arrived at the party shortly after posting a story over on Gay Star News about Robbie getting signed to a two-year contract extension with the LA Galaxy. Since we were early arrivals, I got to do a quick interview with Robbie.

I asked him how it felt to be extended by the Galaxy who he began playing for in May 2013.

”Just as a soccer player, without all that other stuff, it just feels good to contribute on the field and to be part of a successful team. It just reminds me that I’m a soccer player and because of the stuff I’ve shown on the field, they want to keep me part of the team. It’s just being an athlete.’

‘I’m happy that they’re happy and I’m excited to stay with the Galaxy for two years.’

I pointed out to Robbie that while it has been a struggle for Michael Sam to find a place to play in the NFL, he has been quietly proving what a non-issue being gay in Major League Soccer (MLS) has turned out to be.

‘I like quietly being part of the Galaxy and being just one of the guys. I realize there is a role I play in the LGBT community and being a role model – especially with our youth – which I enjoy as well. But I very much enjoy playing soccer.’

Robbie co-wrote his memoir with Eric Marcus and told me there were very few edits once they turned in the final draft. Even though Robbie has done many high-profile interviews, he says the book tells more than has ever been publicly revealed before.

‘We got to tell the story we wanted to tell. You find out a lot more – there are chapters that (boyfriend Greg Berlanti – the TV producer) won’t read. You’ll find out about my time in London and coming out and being back in the locker room as an openly gay soccer player. It was very therapeutic  for me to write it and to go through all those emotions again and hopefully it will help people.’

The book, published by Penguin Books, goes on sale on November 25.