In September 2016, Megan Rapinoe made a small gesture that rippled across the sport when she took a knee during the national anthem prior to her game as a member of Seattle Reign FC.
“I haven’t experienced over-policing, racial profiling, police brutality or the sight of a family member’s body lying dead in the street. But I cannot stand idly by while there are people in this country who have had to deal with that kind of heartache,” she wrote of her decision at the time in The Players’ Tribune.
In the four years since, Rapinoe, who is gay, has embraced her growing role as a social activist. She has used her platform as one of the most popular and productive players on the U.S. Women’s National Team to spark conversations about injustice and push for equal pay for female athletes.
She made waves again with her decision to silently protest during the national anthem ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Thailand. Rapinoe stood with her hands at her side while her teammates put their hands over their hearts. Her subtle demonstration earned her the ire of President Trump.
“I think that taking care of others, standing up for yourself and other people if they don’t have the ability to do so is very uniquely American,” Rapinoe told CNN in 2019 after the U.S. won the Women’s World Cup and she earned the Golden Boot for most goals scored in the tournament.
“I think that protest is not comfortable ever,” she added. “It’s going to make people uncomfortable.”
— Brett Samuels
photo: Getty Images