Collin Martin's San Diego Loyal team-mates were furious. American soccer legend Landon Donovan was furious at his coach. Moments earlier, a player criticized Martin for being openly gay and used a homophobic slur. They gathered under a tent at the halftime break to discuss how to proceed.
The team agreed that something had to be done. They agreed that the referee, Phoenix Rising's Junior Flemmings (or his coach) would not remove the offending player from the game. If he did, he would be removed.
San Diego won the match 3-1. They needed to win the match to stay in the second-tier USL Championship playoff race on the final day of the season. The mathematical elimination of the first-year team from playoff contention would mean that they lose.
Martin was more than a little nervous.
Martin said that he was just like "No, we really should have this game," because it was his nightmare." My sexuality having an effect on a soccer match? This is my worst nightmare.
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Donovan and his teammates were firm believers that it was the right thing. The second-half plan was for all the teams to gather together and raise an anti-discrimination banner. It read, "I Will Speak, I Will Act." This plan was created after Elijah Martin was racially assaulted in San Diego's last game. The Loyal players requested that the game be forfeited as a protest.
What message would they have sent if they had not responded to a discriminatory act committed by another?
Rising's head coach Rick Schantz dismissed it and it was clear Flemmings would be playing in the second period. The Loyal then followed suit and went to the locker room. Martin was accidentally thrust into the national spotlight.
Donovan stated to ESPN that Martin hated the decision at the time and that he also hated the attention for 24 hours afterwards. He was smart enough to see the potential of the platform. This was an opportunity to truly -- and I don't take this lightly -- make a difference in the world. He took all the unwanted attention he didn’t want and dealt with it so that others could benefit.
The league suspended Flemmings for six games and he later denied that he used an anti-gay slur against Martin. Martin spoke out about their conversations in November with Advocate. He said that they had a lengthy conversation and that he was sorry. He didn't admit that he used the slur at first, but he did so shortly afterwards. I was upset by this admission. However, Martin said during our conversation that he also admitted that the weeks after the incident were difficult for him and that he was sorry.
Martin pledged his support to Common Goal, an initiative that uses soccer as a tool for social change, in his continuing quest to help his community. Common Goal is a network that includes high-profile former and current soccer players as well as clubs and other organizations. They have all agreed to make financial contributions in varying amounts. Players are required to contribute 1% of their salary to the Common Goal fund. This money is then used to support the causes that players care about.
Collin Martin, the U.S.'s only openly gay male soccer player, is committed to making the sport more inclusive for the next generation. San Diego Loyal
While priorities may vary in different parts of the globe, Common Goal has focused on issues such as racism, gender equality, and COVID-19 response. Martin's pledge will support Play Proud which is a Common Goal initiative that teaches soccer coaches how to create inclusive environments at both the youth and professional levels.
Martin stated that the Loyal's stand took place last fall and the following months were "a lot". He is not outspoken and has a positive attitude in San Diego. He was content to focus on soccer, and was playing a crucial role in a team that won six of its last six matches before it was eliminated. It was shocking to see the season end in such a public manner.
Although the aftermath of the incident drained a lot of his mental energy, he eventually was able to appreciate the efforts of his team.
He said, "It was the silver lining to be able to send a positive message out of a very difficult situation."
Martin is the only openly gay professional soccer player in America and one of very few to have come out internationally. He has learned to appreciate the importance of his role, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community.
It wasn't always that way at first. Before coming out as a Minnesota United FC member in Major League Soccer in 2018, he was content to be accepted by his family and friends. His teammates, family, and friends were all openly aware of his sexuality. While there were moments in his life when this reality was not possible, the progression was already substantial.
Martin stated, "But it got so bad that I had to listen to a friend who told me, "You can have a much bigger impact." Martin listened to the friend's message: "In order for it to be easier for you to make it easier to the next generation and those that look up to you, then you have to let your skin shine."
The response to his announcement was overwhelming when he made it as part of Minnesota Pride Night.
Martin stated, "The impact that I feel like having with a lot if the youth in Minnesota and across the country -- and just kids who are playing soccer -- that effect for me is greater that anything I'll ever make on the field." It was amazing.
Martin believes that creating more accepting youth sports environments can help closeted athletes feel comfortable with their sexuality. Martin was raised feeling the need to suppress it. He doesn't dwell on his past sexual experiences as a child, but he believes it is important to recognize how discriminatory language can be.
play 1:48 Collin Martin - Locker room support was all that I needed San Diego Loyal midfielder Collin Martin said that the support he received from his former teammates at Minnesota United was an enormous help when he came out.
He said, "It pushes your body further into the closet and doesn't allow for you to take a significant step forward that could improve your life." It's unnecessary energy to be forced to hear certain languages or to believe certain things. People need to remember that there is nothing wrong with themselves.
It was exhausting. It was exhausting. It's hard, and I hope that the younger generation doesn't have to deal with it."
Martin isn't the only one who didn't have coaches willing to intervene to stop homophobic language being used. Play Proud is trying to change this. Coaches learn to be more inclusive and intervene when players use derogatory language as part of the educational process.
Lilli Barrett O'Keefe is the managing director at Common Goal USA and founder of Play Proud. According to research by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, "And then there are the youth who are still playing the game. Four out of five don't go to their coaches [accordingly to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation].
Collin should speak up and say that he would have preferred a coach who made him feel comfortable. What would it look like if he wasn't able to have the support of SD Loyal or his coaches at Minnesota?
Donovan recognized the importance of having coaches who care about players and their well-being as professionals. Donovan suffered from depression throughout his playing career. He often wished that coaches were more understanding and compassionate. He's now the one who blows the whistle.
Donovan stated, "My general philosophy with our players was that they are people first and then players second." It's an easy statement to make, but it is something you must live every day. "What is best for the person?"
Martin admires this approach.
Martin stated, "I believe the greatest coaches I have ever known understood that each member of their team was an individual, has their needs and has different complexities." "If we can understand that our players are not all the same, they may come from different backgrounds, different sexualities, or whatever it may be, it will make us a better coach and make our team better.
These issues have been a topic of his for many years, but he was frustrated at times by the lack thereof.
Common Goal and Play Proud are here to help. He said that they are actually doing the work of educating coaches at both the youth and professional levels. "It's having the initiative actually do the things I believe we should be doing, rather than just talking about it to me."
