Scurry’s career, law are forever linked
Briana Scurry’s U.S. national soccer team jersey is at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in a permanent display that notes the contribution of Title IX to leveling the playing field.
The law helped paved the way for the Black goalkeeper to knock down barriers with her talent, determination and grit, amassing a long list of honors in what was a predominantly white sport.
“When the curators of the National Museum of African American History and Culture contacted us, I remember thinking this can’t be real because the reason is I didn’t realize that my body of work in soccer and my advocating for TBI [traumatic brain injury] and gay rights was actually making that big of an impact in my community to the point where I’d be worthy of being in this museum,” she said.
Scurry, 50, has a World Cup title, two Olympic gold medals and was the first Black woman to be inducted in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
It’s a draw-dropping resume, one that is even more impressive considering Scurry’s complex journey.
She has faced challenges as an openly gay Black woman in what was a predominately white sport. There were hardly any
players who looked like her when she stepped on the sport’s biggest stage; today, the US national soccer team’s roster features eight women of color.
Scurry reflected on her career in the memoir, “My Greatest Save: The Brave, Barrier-Breaking Journey of a World Champion Goalkeeper” released this month — fitting for Thursday’s 50th anniversary of Title IX.
But Scurry’s perseverance landed her on the national team in 1994 and she played 173 games for her country during a career that spanned 14 years.
Her defining moment was the 1999 World Cup final at the Rose Bowl. The game against China went to penalties and Scurry’s shootout save set up Brandi Chastain’s winning kick. The jersey Scurry wore is the one on display in the Smithsonian.