Robbie Rogers on Coming Out in Professional Sports

The last time Robbie Rogers was on a soccer field, he carried a deep and personal secret, one he knew could destroy his dream of ever playing the game that he loves.

But just two months after revealing that secret to the world, Rogers is opening up on the burden of being gay in professional sports in his first TV interview.

In a recent interview with "Nightline," Rogers said he hid his sexuality all his life so he could fit in with the "macho, macho man" world of soccer.

"Because it's sports. It's the stereotype that you're supposed to be this manly guy that is making tackles. It's beating up on other guys," Rogers said in the interview, which airs tonight.

Watch the full interview with Robbie Rogers TONIGHT on "Nightline" at 12:35 a.m. ET.

Rogers said part of his fear came from hearing gay slurs in locker rooms ever since high school.

The 25-year-old former member of the United States national team and professional soccer player in England walked away from the sport in February, after coming out in a letter he posted online.