Megan Rapinoe, an acclaimed soccer player, encountered a discouraging end to her career when she sustained an Achilles tendon injury during a 2-1 loss to NJ/NY Gotham FC.
The injury not only affected Rapinoe but also rendered the record audience for an NWSL finale in stunned silence.
Following the match, Rapinoe humorously asserted that her injury is evidence that no higher power exists.
“I pondered it for a moment. I mean, I’m not especially devout or anything, and if there were a deity, then this is proof that there isn’t,” she stated at the press conference. “This is f—-ed up.”
The non-contact injury took place just three minutes into what was expected to be the final outing of her remarkable athletic career.
While the injury was significant, it was her remarks that left a negative mark on many supporters and those who already had negative opinions of her.
Rapinoe, a two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, has been an advocate for equal pay for female soccer athletes and for inclusive policies regarding transgender participants in women’s sports.
Her career came to a close amid controversy, with earlier comments advocating for transgender inclusion and kneeling during the National Anthem attracting considerable backlash on social media.
