USWNT star Rapinoe leaves lasting legacy on, off pitch
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Few athletes have met the moment like Megan Rapinoe.
The U.S. women do not have a fourth World Cup title without her, nor gold (London) and bronze (Tokyo) medals from the Olympics. She, and Abby Wambach, saved the USWNT from making its earliest exit ever at a major international tournament in the quarterfinals of the 2011 World Cup.
It is what Rapinoe has done off the field, however, that has transformed this exceptional athlete into an icon whose impact will continue long after she retires.
As it was with Muhammad Ali and Billie Jean King before her, there is the world as it existed before Megan RapiGender noe and the world as it exists now, because of what she’s done and the stands she’s taken.
equity, LGBTQ rights and racial equality — gains have been made in these areas and others because of her willingness to use her platform.
“For me and for this team, it’s always been the vibe of leaving everything better than where you found it,” Rapinoe told USA TODAY Sports last month. “Undeniably we’ve changed the game and been a part of these multi movements that are all kind of happening at the same time and have left the world in a better place.
“I think female athletes deserve a lot of credit for what we fought for, whether it’s Black Lives Matter, police brutality, trans rights in sports, women’s rights in sports, bodily autonomy, gay rights in sports, equal pay, landmark contract negotiations,” she added.
“None of this was given to us. We didn’t get the benefit of our potential or what we could do. We had to fight for everything and prove it double every single time.
“So I think being a part of that landscape and being one of the figures in that landscape is what I’m most proud of.”