Rapinoe vows to fight until in ‘grave’
A week of partying in celebration of Team USA’s World Cup victory hasn’t changed Megan Rapinoe, who remains defiant if more diplomatic in her advocacy on social and political issues, quoting Serena Williams in saying she wouldn’t give it up until “the day I’m in my grave.”
Rapinoe, the team’s leader, didn’t back down from her criticism of President Donald Trump, whose anger she had stoked by saying she would not celebrate the championship with a visit to the White House. Is there anything the president could do to change her mind?
“There’s, like, 50 policy issues that we can probably reverse,” she told moderator Chuck Todd. “I understand that progress is sometimes slow, and I’ll never close any door all the way, but I think it would take more than Trump is willing to do.”
Rapinoe, who will continue to play soccer and hopes to win another World Cup, sounded a little like a future politician.
“I’m not sure I’m qualified for office,” she said with a laugh.
But there is an offer on the table.
Presidential candidate Gov. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., said Saturday if he makes it to the White House, he will ask Rapinoe to serve as secretary of state.
“I haven’t asked her yet, so this could be a surprise to her,” Inslee said at the progressive Netroots Nation conference in Philadelphia.
What’s next for Rapinoe — who has taken a knee during the playing of the national anthem in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick — is to continue to join athletes like him, Williams and LeBron James, who have used their platforms to try to bring about social change. After her loss in Saturday’s Wimbledon final, Williams told a reporter, “The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I’m in my grave.”