Football and Football

It is getting to be crunch time in the NFL with three regular season games remaining on the schedule.  All the playoff contenders have key divisional match ups in the remaining games.  Some teams like Arizona play every other team in their division which will of course settle any dust as afar as a Division Title is concerned.  The Dallas Cowboys are in the hunt for a spot with the best case scenario of win out, take the NFC East Division Title and enter the play offs as the number 3 seed in the NFC.  But all that is a a story for another day.  Today's story comes from that other football.  I am not sure if it is arrogance, ignorance or expedience but what we Americans call soccer, the rest of the world calls football.  Or futbol! or footy.   

The big league of American soccer is the MLS which held its annual MLS Cup over the weekend pitting the LA Galaxy against the New England Revolution for the title.  The Galaxy is the home of Robbie Rogers, who with the retirement of Jason Collins from the NBA and the inexplicable shunning of Michael Sam in the NFL, is the only openly Gay Male Athlete in any of the 4 Major American Sports.  Rogers has blossomed since moving to play forward this season where he has become a leader both on and off the field.  Rogers is an integral part of the team chemistry that got the Galaxy to the MLS Cup.  I am happy to report that Rogers and the Galaxy rose to the occasion, going into overtime before  emerging with the 2-1 Victory and the 2014 MLS Cup.  

Robbie Rogers is also a photogenic media darling (see photo below) who has written his autobiography, Coming Out to Play, and is now embarked on a Victory/Book Promo tour around the country.  You can read Outsports review of  Coming Out to Play or and Excerpt from the book by clicking on either link.  You may also purchase Coming Out to Play on Amazon.com.  In one fell swoop, Rogers has braved the world of the out Gay athlete in a Major American sport and lived to tell the tale.  His story will long be an inspiration to LGBT kids everywhere, athlete or not, who can relate to his struggles before finally achieving the ultimate success on the field as the first of what is hoped to be many more to come.  This is not Rogers first time as the MLS Cup Rodeo, he won in 2008 with the Columbus Crew, but was still deeply closeted at the time.  This championship is so much sweeter because Robbie is living his truth, playing at the top of is game and is a champion in the highest level of his sport.  Not bad for 25, not bad at all.  Congratulations to the Galaxy and most especially to Robbie Rogers, a bright beacon of hope for all of us.

Your Musical Moment for this Tuesday which features the Emperor Concerto by Beethoven is dedicated to Robbie Rogers and the Galaxy because they are Kings of the American Soccer World.  Today's performance is by Daniel Barenboim in concert with The Royal Danmarks Radio Orchestra conducted by Michael Schønwandt.  Over on my tumblr, You may also hear universally acclaimed pianist Mitsuko Uchida plays the Beethoven Piano Concerto # 3 in C Minor with The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mariss Jansons conducting. 

Finally for this Tuesday is a collection of muscular men with terrific tummies and taut tushes lying in wait  to lead you astray as you scroll down the page in this week's edition of Tuesday's Temptations.  Then I got today's Hottie of the Day! in my feeds courtesy of The Yummy of the Day!  He is One Real Hot Cup of Joe!, so I could not help sharing him with you over on my tumblr.  Thanks for the visit, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!