(TheIndependentStar.com) – Megan Rapinoe is no stranger to controversy. She is an outspoken supporter of Black Lives Matter (BLM) and regularly took a knee during the American national anthem at the Olympics. The LGBTQ activist is also a leader in the fight for equal pay within her sport.
Yet, her loud — and sometimes, brash — persona often pushes buttons, especially for people who support traditional values. They see the soccer star’s views as anti-American. Still, her most recent move just might make them see her in a more positive light.
Is Retirement on the Horizon?
On August 16, soccer player Carli Lloyd announced she was retiring. Shortly afterward, Rapinoe revealed that she, too, was contemplating the same action, telling ESPN she needed “time to think about it” during an interview.
Rapinoe says she’s been pondering retirement frequently in recent months. The soccer player figured she would just know when it was time to quit, but clarified that it hasn’t happened yet.
Did She Accomplish Her Goals?
While Rapinoe helped the US women’s soccer team win gold in 2012, and served on the winning FIFA Women’s World Cup team in 2015, she is best known for her activism. In fact, she was the first player to protest by kneeling during the National Anthem at a game. This move secured her more attention than any other win in her past.
The soccer player also loudly shared her negative opinion of former President Donald Trump quite often during his time in office. Her open criticism frequently led to public spectacles, such as when she refused to visit the White House after the US Women’s National Team’s win in 2019.
The LGBTQ activist and former president exchanged heated words at least once after her remarks, leading many to say they were feuding. Her girlfriend, Sue Bird, even wrote an essay about the tension between the two public figures. The “woke” crowd she associates with loved it in spite of its bias.
Rapinoe also got herself into trouble when she joined a Subway ad campaign that ultimately resulted in backlash towards franchises. The owners begged the corporation to remove her from the ads, saying her extreme activism caused them to lose business.
The 36-year-old’s political stances and controversial moves made her more famous than her soccer achievements on the field. Maybe that’s why she’s hesitant to call it a day and step away from the ball. But, her refusal to step down might also be related to her team’s shocking loss at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where they settled for bronze, rather than gold.
Copyright 2021, TheIndependentStar.com
