“It’s one thing to be a soccer player and to inspire people
as a soccer player,” he said “But to be able to inspire people when it
extends beyond that, to be able to help people as just young men and
women, I feel so lucky. It’s not just a sports thing for me.”

[UMD Ranked Nation’s No. 1 College for LGBTQ+ Students]

During a several-day visit, Rogers was honored on Ludwig
Field before the Terps’ Oct. 10 victory over Villanova, he spoke to
student athletes, and he provided an advance screening of the Showtime
series he produced, “Fellow Travelers,” premiering Oct. 27.

Developing the gay romance/political thriller, set during
the Lavender Scare of the 1950s-70s, when homosexual federal employees
were removed from their jobs, is the next step in Rogers’ LGBTQ+
advocacy.

He came out in 2013 amid a pro career that included the
Columbus Crew, Leeds United and the LA Galaxy, and has since been a
voice for LGBTQ+ equality and sports and for living authentically.

“It was an honor to have someone with his experience and
someone who has gone through so many challenges talk with us,” said
senior captain Alex Nitzl. “It was very cool to see how he overcame his
adversity and to see how much love he has for the Maryland Terrapins.”

Read more about his first visit to Maryland since going pro in 2005 at umterps.com.