Megan Rapinoe Claims 'You Can't Win a Championship Without Gays'
The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup ended Sunday, but the end of the tournament has not stopped U.S. star Megan Rapinoe from making controversial statements.
After the U.S. women defeated the Netherlands 2-0 to win the Cup, Rapinoe, who is a lesbian, credited her sexual orientation for the victory.
“We already discussed this,” she tweeted. “Science is science. Gays rule.”
She was responding to a USWNT tweet with a photo of Rapinoe along with teammates Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger, who are getting married in December.
We already discussed this. Science is science. Gays rule. @Ashlyn_Harris @alikrieger https://t.co/Q80L65O0OZ
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) July 7, 2019
This would not be the first time Rapinoe has acted as if her sexuality were some crowning achievement, as indicated by her comment, “We already discussed this.”
After the U.S. women defeated France 2-1 in the quarterfinal June 28, Rapinoe told The Guardian, “Go gays! You can’t win a championship without gays on your team — it’s never been done before, ever. That’s science, right there!
“I’m motivated by people who like me, who are fighting for the same things. I take more energy from that than from trying to prove anyone wrong. That’s draining on yourself. But for me, to be gay and fabulous, during Pride month at the World Cup, is nice.”
Factually, Rapinoe is incorrect. It is possible to win a championship without having any gay players on a team. It’s the talent of the players that matters, not their sexuality.
Certainly, it is odd that the U.S. Soccer Federation is also pushing Rapinoe’s narrative.
The organization, which is the governing body of soccer in the United States, tweeted in apparent agreement with Rapinoe’s “That’s science” quote and replied to it with “Told ya” when the team won the title. That’s an odd message to send to the young soccer players who dream of playing in the World Cup.
“That’s science right there.”#Pride https://t.co/usRWMeJhtI
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 28, 2019
Following the team’s victory, Rapinoe also had a controversial moment with the American flag.
Her teammate, Allie Long, dropped the flag to the ground while posing for a photograph — and Rapinoe stepped on it while doing a choreographed dance.
Teammate Kelley O’Hara ran over and picked up the flag.
You should be disturbed by this unpatriotic narcissistic behavior. @mPinoe is neither a hero or a role model. I rewound and watched the entire celebration on the field. Rapinoe didn’t want anything to do with an #Americanflag before she stomped it. #repulsive pic.twitter.com/Kevbe7jJYt
— Jonathan T Gilliam (@JGilliam_SEAL) July 7, 2019
Coming from Rapinoe, the action was no surprise.
After all, she refused to put her hand over her heart or sing the national anthem during the tournament and knelt for the anthem in 2016 as a member of the Seattle Reign.
Rapinoe said her anthem protests at the World Cup were an “F you” to President Donald Trump and his administration. She also declared she would not go to “the f—ing White House” if the U.S. women won the Cup.
Rapinoe surely has earned a place as one of the most divisive sports figures in recent times, but perhaps she will fade back into irrelevance now that the World Cup is over.
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