Seattle Kraken Trainer Makes History
Seattle Kraken trainer Justin Rodgers made history today when he publicly came out as gay. It is believed that Rodgers is the first openly gay man to be behind an NHL bench.
Rodger's Historic Announcement
ESPN's Ryan Clark released a story today about Seattle Kraken trainer Justin Rodgers, who has become the first openly gay athletic trainer in NHL history. It details Rodger's internal struggle and journey through life and the NHL as a gay man.
"I got to college, realized a few more things and it really wasn't until grad school that I was able to accept myself and say, 'OK. I am a gay man. I have no idea what that means yet,'" Rogers said. "It still took years after that to get to the point that, 'I'm gay and I'm ready to be out with myself comfortably and telling my family and friends in my life.'"
The story contains several stories from Rodger's career so far, and they should all be mandatory reading for hockey players, fans, executives, or really anyone that is trying to be more inclusive in their own lives.
Rogers was a few years into his tenure at Penn State when a freshman who had just scored a goal skated back to the bench after his shift and asked Rogers if he was gay.
"It threw me off. What are you talking about? Why are you asking me this question in the middle of a game after just scoring a goal?" Rogers recalled.
After the game, Rogers spoke with the player, who told him that he was accepting of Rogers being gay.
Rogers, who by that point had come out to his best friends more than a year earlier, shared why the moment resonated with him to this day. He said that player could have gone and told the entire team. But to Rogers' knowledge, he kept what they discussed private.
"It threw me off. What are you talking about? Why are you asking me this question in the middle of a game after just scoring a goal?" Rogers recalled.
After the game, Rogers spoke with the player, who told him that he was accepting of Rogers being gay.
Rogers, who by that point had come out to his best friends more than a year earlier, shared why the moment resonated with him to this day. He said that player could have gone and told the entire team. But to Rogers' knowledge, he kept what they discussed private.
Hockey Is For Everyone
While the NHL cannot seem to establish a clear position on this issue, hockey is indeed for everyone, including Justin Rodgers and all the gay men pursuing careers in the sport. At House Of Hockey we want to encourage those who feel outcast or unwanted to continue to pursue careers in hockey. You can read Rodger's full inspirational story here.
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