LA GALAXY star Robbie Rogers has revealed he was the victim of a sick homophobic rant on Saturday.
Ex-Leeds ace Rogers became only the third footballer to publicy declare he is gay when he bravely came out in February 2012.
He initially retired after the decision but made a comeback in the MLS three months later.
Rogers, 29, returned from injury on the weekend after spending six weeks on the sidelines to play in a reserves match against Orange County Blues.
But he claims to have been targeted by “a player from the opposing team” with vile taunts calling him “queer”.
The news comes 48 hours after vile tweets were discovered on Burnley striker Andre Gray’s Twitter account calling for homosexuals to ‘burn and die’.
In a social media post, captioned “Getting Some S*** Off My Chest: 4 years later” Rogers said: “After being out injured for two months with an Achilles surgery I finally made my return last night.
“In the head of the last fifteen minutes of the game a player from the opposing team called me a ‘queer’ repeatedly.
“To be honest my initial reaction was one of shock.
“This is my fourth season back in the MLS and I’ve yet to hear another player use that or any other gay slur during a game.
“I quickly became enraged, I spent the drive home wishing I had channeled my inner Zidane and punched or head-butted this player even though I knew punching this person wouldn’t have helped either of us, my team, or the greater cause of advancing equality in sports.
“I went to bed upset last night. Angry at this player and his ignorance. Angry at myself for not going more in the moment. Sad the we live in a time where this kind of intolerance still exists in my sport and elsewhere.
“And if I’m being honest, I was even a bit ashamed that a single word could make me feel, even just for a moment, all the awful feelings I felt for so many years: small, less than, wrong, and unworthy of love and respect by my family or god forbid by teammates.”
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The American went on to thank his team-mates and family for their support in his decision.
He added: “But it was just for a moment.
“Minutes later my head was back in the game. And this morning even most of the anger has faded and the predominant emotions left are love and gratitude.
“I’m happy that I practiced restraint worthy of my sport. I’m thankful for the many players on my team and even the opposing one who apologized to me for one man’s actions.
“Today, I woke up grateful to work in organization filled with so many players and coaches who have worked hard to practice tolerance of everyone and to help change a culture.”
“But mostly I’m proud of myself. I am proud more than ever that I had the courage to come out as a queer man.
“I feel so fortunate to have gotten to share my story with others and to have gotten to play this sport I love so much as an openly gay person.
“I am, more than ever, thankful to have teammates and a family that love and support me for the son, brother, partner, father and queer player that I am.
“I’m encouraging, as I did when I came out four years ago, all athletes to find the courage within themselves to come out.
“Listen, only you know when and how it’s best for you to live your truth and share your story, but each one of you that chooses to make this courageous step is not just vastly improving your own life but literally saving others.”
Rogers’ courage has inspired a number of fans, with many taking to Instagram to praise the American.
User jmorrison418 said, “We got your back, brother!” while alibstyle wrote, “Pure love for you. Inspired by your grace, truly one of the great ones.”
mdlindemulder added: “Supporting you every step of the way!” complete with a heart emoji.
On Sunday the MLS released a statement announcing that it would investigate the incident and reiterating its “zero tolerance for homophobia”.
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