USA TODAY International Edition
Husband defends Solo: It is a ‘ witch hunt’
Former NFL player Jerramy Stevens strongly defended his wife, Hope Solo, on Saturday, calling the domestic violence controversy surrounding the U. S. women’s soccer goalkeeper a “witch hunt” and “unpatriotic.”
Stevens spoke to USA TODAY Sports at James Armstrong Richardson International Airport while waiting to board a flight to Vancouver, where the USA will play Nigeria in its final Women’s World Cup group match Tuesday.
“It is a witch hunt, you can put that in the paper,” Stevens said in reference to the ongoing saga that has kept Solo in the spotlight and overshadowed the team’s 1- 0- 1 start to the tournament.
Prosecutors have appealed to reopen the case in which Solo was charged in June 2014 with domestic violence for allegedly punching her 17- year- old nephew and tackling him during an argument at the home of Solo’s halfsister in Kirkland, Wash. U. S. Soccer has been criticized for its reaction, allowing Solo to continue to play and acknowledging that officials didn’t interview Solo’s nephew or half sister.
However, former Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Stevens, 35, was adamant that Solo had been unfairly treated and was innocent of the allegations.
“It’s not hard for me, because I know Hope can handle it,” Stevens said. “I think that what’s hard is that she’s the victim of something that was really scary and a really unfortunate incident. ( She) being classified even remotely close to Ray Rice and these other domestic violence incidents is ridiculous and outright wrong. That part is difficult.”
Solo’s form during the World Cup appears to be be unaffected by controversy that was reignited when ESPN’s Outside The Lines published and broadcast a detailed report last Sunday citing fresh developments in the 2014 case. Solo was one of the U. S.’ s best players in its opening 3- 1 victory against Australia and mistake- free in a 0- 0 tie Friday with Sweden.
Solo’s only remarks on the matter came after the Australia game, when she told USA TODAY Sports that she was “perfectly focused” despite the extra attention. She declined to answer questions after Friday’s game and was escorted through the media interview zone by a team official without stopping or speaking.
“I think that right now, from my perspective, everybody is trying to dissect Hope, trying to figure out what makes her tick,” Stevens said. “Nobody likes to feel like a science experiment. She’s just out there doing the best that she can, to be the best person that she can be. I’m just here to try and support her.”
Without question, Solo is one of the finest goalkeepers in women’s soccer and has been defended publicly by U. S. coach Jill Ellis and several teammates. Solo has won two Olympic gold medals and was named as the thirdbest player in the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
“I feel she’ll continue to ( play well),” Stevens said. “She doesn’t need to defend herself. She’s in the right. I think that gives her strength, because she doesn’t feel like she’s done anything wrong. And it’s just unfortunate, because they’ve made an issue out of something and there was no new information presented. None whatsoever. All of those ( details) were available.
“( People) put females in a box and want them to stay there and look pretty. Hope refuses to be put in that box. She wants to be treated as an equal. That’s not the case as we can see.”