Rapinoe: 'I just went with what was in my heart'
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Sep 16, 2016
Rapinoe kneeled in support of the example of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick before the Seattle Reign's NWSL game Sept. 5 at Chicago,
never had a chance to kneel against the Washington Spirit three days later because the Spirit owner Bill Lynch switched things up and had the national anthem played before the teams entered the
field, and she stood arm-in-arm with her Reign players before their home game against Washington on Sunday, Sept. 11.
Rapinoe told reporters on Wednesday she was undecided about whether
she will kneeling for the national anthem before the USA-Thailand game.
“It’s a very complex issue that needs to be looked at holistically,” she said. After the game,
she said, “I just went with what was in my heart and I think what I knew all along."
Rapinoe, who has only started one game since returning from a knee injury in December 2015, came
on after at halftime for Tobin Heath with the score 4-0.
U.S. women's national team coach Jill Ellis said she supported Rapinoe's willingness to speak out about issues but
expected players to stand for the national anthem. Asked before the game by ESPN's Julie Foudy what she would do if Rapinoe kneeled, Ellis said she would have a “conversation" with
Rapinoe. As for repercussions, Ellis said, “It warrants a determination."
U.S. Soccer issued a statement that representing his or her country was a privilege and honor for any
player or coach associated with U.S. national teams and therefore had particular significance for soccer's national governing body.
"As part of the privilege to represent your country,"
it stated, "we have an expectation that our players and coaches will stand and honor our flag while the national anthem is played."
It is indeed a privilege to play for your country and if she can't honor her country by standing during the anthem, then she shouldn't be part of the national team. While she has the right to "speak her heart", she shouldn't do so at the expense of her employer, US Soccer.
In my opinion, she should be removed from the team. There are plenty of women to take her place.
I respect her, and her right to free speech. The only time when it is really appropriate to play the national anthem before a sporting event is at an international match. On that occasion players are representing their country and if they can't stand and honor the flag, and the shirt they are wearing, then they should decline the opportunity. As for all other games, she should continue to do what her conscience dictates. Playing the national anthem before club games is just a gratuitous exercise in enforced patriotism.
Perhaps she should use her brain and not her heart to make decisions. It is the USA National Team where you wear and represent the USA....it is not a club team. If you cannot stand at attention then you should not be on the team. It would be like working for Coca-Cola and carrying a Pepsi can around the office all day, only this is one thousand times more significant.
Also...how selfish to not only take attention away from your team and particularly from Heather O'Reilly and her family on her special night.
Megan, Colin, etc. do not know what "oppression" is, so throwing around that word is naive anyway. I am sure she has felt some discrimination as most all people do during their life for something. If she wants to understand oppression she should go to Uganada, Haiti, various countries in the Mideast, etc. and help where a female may not be allowed to get an education, run for office, own a business, or even walk in front of a man. That is oppression. What a narrow world view these people have.
I would believe that this is something more than self promotion if she refused her National team salary , including any stipend that is given in addition to her club salary. If you object to the "politics" of the nation, you probably shouldn't play for the National team. Also if this wasn't about self promotion, she wouldn't step out in front of the rest of the players to draw attention to herself. Bad taste stealing the spotlight from Heather O Reilly, but self important people think that they ( and their issue)are most important.
I agree that there is probably an aspect of self-promotion here. I propose that the media stop talking about it and stop covering it. Once people stop paying attention, this whole thing will become a non-issue.
Hey # 15. You're hurting your brand. You're thumbing your nose at the US. Your sense of self-entitlement is appalling. I will not watch any game where you are supposedly representing your country. That's not the type of representation that I care to watch.
Shameless self promotion. The evening should have been about Heather O'Reilly and ONLY Heather O'Reilly. Disgusting by Rapinoe.
The fact that Heather's retirement was completely overshadowed by this (and the somewhat similar problem with choosing to "take a knee" during the 9/11 memorial games) shows how awkward these symbolic gestures are. Apart from not hearing a word of explanation from her about the actual issues, now her choices will be followed breathlessly, as in the recent South Park episode--will she or won't she? OMG, she STOPPED--doesn't she CARE anymore? Game? What game? Never a good thing when South Park can brilliantly mock your situation.
To put this in perspective, would it be tolerated at an international match if someone refused to stand during the opposing side's anthem?
The referee could justify issuing a yellow card for unsporting behavior and it's doubtful USSF, or FIFA would overturn it on appeal.
This is a team sport, and no one is irreplaceable.
I supported Rapinoe at University of Portland and the school before and after. I cheered her with National Team. I couldn't care less about her sexual orientation. She could have chosen a different venue for her protests. She is a perfect example of the "ME generation". Doing her protest this way was all about HER ego.
There are many issues in this country that perhaps justify some type of protest. However, holistically speaking, on the whole, is the US deserving of criticism on an international stage via a narcissistic individual in the waning hours of her game. As a naturalized citizen, I find that yes, there are certainly sad inequities within our nation and have experienced many myself, but there are also other ways to protest against these. Is the nation to blame an entire Nation for the actions of individuals. The values expressed by the constitution have always remained the same. It is people who are responsible for the inequities. Protest the people not the symbol of the Nation. To say that a player does NOT represent one's nation and owes no respect to it,s symbol is asinine. The flag and the anthem are holistic symbols of the constitution and the ideal that represents and in my opinion to stand and show respect for those ideals does more than disrespect. It is a National Team. Thus I would suggest that should you disagree with what the Nation stands for, then refuse to play on its' team. That would for me be a valid objection. Grandstanding and stealing center stage for Ms. O'Reillys' moment certainly earns my disrespect!
Good sentiments Joe.
Kick her off the team, permanently, immediately. Megan, you are representing the entire country when you put on the national team uniform - representing us to the rest of the world. If you are so stupid, self-centered and careless enough to show the world such disdain for our country - while wearing the uniform of the national team, you have no business being employed by US Soccer. I will not watch any USWNT games until you are gone. You are such a sick little self-entitled airhead, you have no idea how much anti-US propaganda you have contributed to. YOU are the national embarrassment Megan, plus a monumental asshole for making Heather O'Reilly's night about yourself. I am completely disgusted with this childish, moronic, self-serving jerk of an athlete.
If she really was so offended by her country and our anthem, she should stop playing soccer completely for her club and our country. Shameless ploy for her fifteen minutes of "glory?". If she was so offended why doesn't she give back the money and turn her uniforms in? But, the media has a share of the blame of this disgraceful behavior. Why do they insist on putting the camera on these knuckleheads? Why spend so much time talking about it during the game? I promise you these kind of senseless acts would stop if the media would just ignore them. She also disrespected HOA by diverting attention away from her last game for the USA. Everyone has the right to an opinion, but most of us don't have to have cameras on us to express it. As a veteran, I am highly offended by these actions. If you truly are so unhappy here, pack up and hit the road and see how well you do somewhere else.
This really seems to go way overboard. I would, however, ask her what SHE is doing to address the issues she seemingly cares so much about that she needs to bring them to the pitch in an international game. Taking a knee costs little, net (publicity vs. negative reaction), but what does she do after the game? Mentor a girls' soccer team? Sponsor a tournament for disadvantaged youth. Heck, in this context, how about Police Athletic League soccer? That would be a win-win.
She should be removed from the team. I don't recall her doing anything of substance on the issue she cares so much about. Just like the other folks kneeling, following like sheep to advance an issue. Hey why not go to the Police academy and do the job??? It is far easier to kneel/sit and disrespect all that do. . The coach also needs to go. She also had a decision to make about her kneeling. When she allowed her to play in the second it sent a clear message to me.
Personally I blame Jill Ellis as much as anyone, for leaving the door open for actions such as this. A better approach from her would have been to mimic what our US Men's Hockey team head coach said to his players; that you are playing for the US when you play for the national team, and if you are not willing to stand for the national anthem you should be prepared to sit for the game. National team games are not the time for making political and social statements; nor should the be used for self-promotion. US Soccer should sanction her for these actions, but they won't do so because of the political backlash they would receive in the press. I know of no other country that would allow one of its national team players to openly disrespect their country; and this is not the precedent ours should be setting.
This is for USSF to address. And its recent statement failed miserably. It exhorts but does not direct.
Was so upset I forgot my last thoughts on this deplorable situation. Finally US Soccer issued a statement on her behavior. Now will they follow it up with any action? They certainly did with Hope, who's comments were nowhere near as disrespectful. She didn't disgrace her country! Same for Jill, what are you going to do about this? You didn't hesitate to make Hope a scapegoat for doing far less. There are plenty of other players who would love to play for their country, and give it the respect it deserves...
Ms. Rapinoe can certainly protest, because that is her right that our forefathers fought for in many wars. The problem is that doing it in front of our national flag and anthem is just the wrong place to do it. Invariably, it's more of a turn-off to those who see it than a turn-on to the cause. When you disrespect the flag (even though you have a right to do it and have a point to make), there is too much collateral damage inflicted when you do it around our flag and anthem. This is the mistake that she and Colin Kaepernick make in choosing this place to do a personal protest. Out of respect for those who died in the service of our country, just stay away from the anthem and the flag. Pick another venue. I think professional teams should perhaps designate a room during the middle of the week or prior or after the game where athletes who want to make a point can hold their own press conference and say what they want to say. Just please don't disparage our veterans, their families, their kids and grandkids by inflicting pain on them by disrespecting the flag and the anthem. It hurts them to no end. Having served in the combat zone for two years myself, I know what it's like to be scared and make that kind of sacrifice. Those who protest, like this confused national team player, just don't see the collateral damage they inflict. And the pain is real to those who have served, those who have sacrificed -- those who in their lives have really invested skin in the game of defending our country.
As stated by so many Megan Rapine has a right to express herself and protest in a respectful manner. Her decision to take a knee during the USA National Anthem was a poor decision. If everyone was to only do what they felt like this country and the world would be an even bigger mess. When you are PAID to reperesent your country certain responsibility comes with that. If you can not fulfill your responsibility then do not take the position or the money and benefits that come with it. Hope Solo is paying the price for her decisions and now it will be interesting iffffff US Soccer will treat all players fairly. Will Megan be suspended for 6 months? 6 days??? In fact it will be interesting iff Megan will speak up and stand up for Solos right of free speech???? She is in a position to make a positive impact for her county and not just her. That will require her to stand up and really get involved. Can you imagine if she worked with or in law enforcement as an officer, mentor to payback all that this country has given her with the intent to make it a better place for all. With the opppertunities she has been given by this country with her education and being paid to play a great game. I know A LOT of inner city kids would love to have had half the oppertunties she has been given. To make a true difference you have to stand up and get involved vs taking a knee on the sidelines. My hope is that US Soccer will do what is right and so will Megan Rapine.
Rapinoe does not have a Constitutional right to take a knee when the federation has asked that she not do so. She is their employee (literally) and their representative on the pitch. They do control the pitch. She may express herself off the pitch however she pleases (subject to other team rules, which--as the Solo episode demonstrates--are not well developed. She may leave the team.
Of course, the federation hasn't even gotten this right. Their milquetoast statement doesn't preclude her, just blandly states their preference. What a mess.
And all this leaves aside the question whether the USA team federation should be limiting speech on pitch even if it has the right to do so.
I, for one, would welcome a statement from Rapinoe that her position is now well known and that she will turn to other forms of expression, like donating and even better leading a program for the very kids whose lives she is concerned for.
Ok, express your first amendment rights... why not do that with a "boo" everytime MR takes the field, touches the ball
I could care less about Rapinoe, as I hope she has dug her grave with US Soccer. However, I am also very disappointed in some others in the squad. Jill Ellis should have had this discussion before the match and then she should have left her to rot on the bench after taking a knee. I am also disappointed in Carli Lloyd, our captain, for not handling this before the match. She should have told Rapinoe to not even think about it on O'Reilly's retirement match. Then there is the rest of the team and the fans at the match. The fans should have been booing every time she touched the ball and I really believe her teammates should have frozen her out once she came on.
Some excellent comments. I'm surprised that there are non in favor of MR, though. She is standing up for a noble cause, after all, and one that is quickly becoming not just an isolated incident or two, but a real movement. (eg., the entire football team at Mission HS in San Francisco took a knee before their last game.) Is it possible that none of the commenters are black? Is it possible that non are lesbian, as is MR? Not that that SHOULD matter, but it gives one a very different perspective on a very real problem in the US that is killing people. It will be extremely interesting to see how this plays out in our great country of freedom of expression.
Will G. Hit the nail on the head. Now Sunil should show MR the same treatment he did HS. The fact that Ellis would even play her is appaling.
It´s actually straightforward: As a member of a team you follow the rules of the game and the regulations and policies of the organization you represent.
USSF: suspend Rapino, NOW
Unfortunatey, in order to escape ESPN´s stupid commentary one must turn off the sound
You folks are amazing. About 5 years ago, Jozy Altidore stopped putting his hand over his heart during the Natioan Anthem and started clasping both hands firmly behind his back. I grew up during World War II and my dad was a "lifer" in the Air Force. I was taught that actions like Jozy's were disrespectful to our country. I asked what Jozy was protesting by his failure to place his right hand over his heart during the playing of our national anthem. Imagine my surprise when all but one of you people said it was no longer necessary to follow the rules for US citizens during our anthem (there are rules...you can google them...they used to teach all that during grade school and then in high school civics). A couple years ago, Jozy spoke up and said he was following the tenants of his religion. They don't honor any country's flags or holidays or even birthdays. None of that is celebrated. That made sense, except his religion also does not believe in playing in organized sports or having facial hair. Okay, he's playing soccer for the national team and he sports a beard. So, what is he protesting? Or is it okay to keep your hands down, but just disgraceful to take a knee? Why the double standard?
In the 1950s, my dad was stationed outside of San Antonio. When we attended sporting events, the male Texans would always take off their cowboy hats and hold them over their hearts while "The Eyes of Texas" was played over the loud speaker. As soon as "The Star Spangled Banner" began to play, at least half of those good ole boys clapped their hats back on their heads, sat down and began conversations with their buddies. Now, THAT'S disrespect.
One who truly supports BLM should put their body where their mouth is and attend a rally. Otherwise it is nothing more than the hijacking of an inappropriate venue to make a self-grandizing, look at me statement. If one dons a USNT uniform then represent the US with pride or sit on the bench. Fans care about supporting a winning soccer team not any players personal opinion. Play ball or stay home!!!
Proud of you Megan. Maybe someday all of these people that are so outraged will focus more on the message than the method. That and understand how a protest is supposed to work.
Any act by a player to put the game in disrepute, or disparage any of the participants is unsporting behavior.
If a player or team engages in a choreographed goal celebration they are guilty of misconduct.
This is a choreographed display meant to bring attention to one's self. The referee's have jurisdiction once she steps onto the field and its immediate surroundings.
USSF should direct officials to sanction this behavior with a caution.
More anti-American garbage from AA. I'm ambivalent about Megan's protest but I figured AA would be over the top about it. This is a guy who said racism is the only reason Freddy Adu isn't considered the greatest player in US history so...
Rich how can you be proud of someone who was given the honor to represent your country on an International stage and then she tells the world the Country is racist? Really? Proud isn't the word that comes to my mind... Doesn't the team have a wonderful variety of people on it (eg.. various races, sexual orientation, religious beliefs) If she really wants change tell her to move to Chicago and start working in the inner city to reduce violence and change the narrative that way. She has a micro view of the issue and doesn't want to think past it because it's cool to join this bandwagon of protesters.
Does anyone know how to contact U.S. Soccer and file complaints that they are employing someone who is turning her nose up at the company/country paying her? There are quite a few other women who have her talent level and would love to represent the greatest country in the world.
Hooray! Racism is over! You are setting up several false choices to deflect the point, but perhaps you should honestly ask yourself why her protesting is so upsetting to you. Get mad if you want at how the message is delivered, that is your right. But maybe try putting that aside and listen to what they are actually saying, instead of screaming that it isn't formatted properly for you. Perhaps the protesters understand how severe their choice of protest method is, and are not just a bunch of evil, self-centered, reverse racists that want to desecrate everything that you hold dear because they are bad people. Perhaps they are indeed good people that see a situation dire enough that it warrants such a extreme way to express their viewpoint. You can't speak to their experience or motivations, but perhaps can try to understand why they are doing this, without being so judgemental because you want a protest method that is less threatening to you. Also, it isn't fair to say that she has a 'micro view' of the issue. As a gay american, I think that she has dealt with her fair share of discrimination to have a voice on the issue.
She stands for Thailand's anthem - a country that is far more oppressive... http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2016/09/16/megan-rapinoe-stands-for-thailand-anthem-after-kneeling-for-star-spangled-banner/ like the hypocrisy of the NBA who will move things out of NC because NC wants men to use a men's room and women to use a women's room, but will host games in China, a country with a terrible human right's record. and like Hillary, who should be in jail, who pretends to be for women's rights and gay rights, but will take millions and millions from countries that give them no rights and throws gays off of building tops. Good to see Miami police will not escort the Dolphin players until they all start to stand.
Wow all american you appear to be like any other troll that resorts to insults instead of engaging in conversation. Nothing in my previous post was incorrect.
Well in fairness, we all stopped reading once you quoted breitbart. Your credibility was shot at that point. But again, those are different issues. She is focusing on this one. Just because she is not trying to tackle every problem doesn't men she can't protest any of them. Your argument is based on fallacy and just generally doesn't make sense.
Pure and simple this is disrespect of our country and national anthem. Disgraceful. There are ways to protest and this is not proper behavior. Just wrong.
Did it ever occur to anyone that MR loves the country as much as everyone else proclaiming their disgust and that the inequity that she sees as a stain on the country is what is driving this action? Her action can be equally interpreted as an American using a large platform to show just how much this issue of institutionalized racial conflict needs to be addressed. Her willingness to risk such condemnation speaks to how strong she feels about the issue. Many of the things on this thread echo what was said about Dr. King's actions as he was counseled to find a "better, more appropriate way" to protest. What he found was making people uncomfortable yielded a conversation that produced results. We revere his actions today.
The comment was made above to " Get mad ..at how the message is delivered..But maybe try putting that aside and listen to what they are actually saying"
What conversation is Rapinoe having? What is she doing to improve things? What facts does she know? It's easy, so very easy, to take a knee on the sideline. It's also very insulting to those of us who are actually trying to make a difference by actually getting into the communities, having real conversations, really working with citizens firsthand. So she might be better served if she stood up during the anthem, then after the game went and did some actual volunteer work in the areas that have issues. AFTER she is actually in the real game, talking with people (BOTH SIDES), seeing what is really going on, then she should speak up and people might actually hear a real message. But so far, the only thing she is accomplishing is to have the masses talk about her and her actions from the sideline.
And go do you know that she doesn't? Oh yeah, that's right, it's so much easier to just shift it all back and make it her fault rather than take an honest look at the situation. Deflect, deflect, deflect...
There are basically 2 sides - you either think this she is disrespecting the flag and what it stands for or you do not. So for most that think she is, the replies will be very similar. For those that do not, they will look for different reasons as to why she isn't.
You guys want to argue, fight, insult anyone who doesn't agree with you. The new liberal way - ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK. if one doesn't agree with you it is because they are racist or sexist or xenophobic or whatever. Unfortunately, it is usually just a different opinion.
Rich V - you dismissing Breitbart disqualifies you. If not for them and several other similar sites, most of America wouldn't even know about Fast & Furious(not the movie series), the email & foundation scandal, Benghazi, Twitter/Facebook censoring, Universities (once the main centers of free speech) cracking down on free speech and giving free speech zones, the climate change data falsification and, H1-B visas so on. CNN, ABC ,etc.. are now just propaganda networks pushing an agenda.
Sorry, I forgot that you tinfoil hat crowd will believe any BS served to you in the name of being the only ones that know the 'real truth'. You know why they were the only ones reporting those stories? Because thats all they are...stories. They aren't true. But they have gotten rich off of you and will continue to spew their BS and you will eat it with a spoon. So I really don't expect any kind of rational introspection on this issue from you. Just get back in your bunker and keep living in fear because some crackpot on the internet had a scary dream about brown people again. Or maybe try picking up a newspaper, you know, the things with actual news rather than just editorialized fantasy like breitbart.
"Go to communties to do what? Just to see systematic oppression"... To give you an idea of where to start looking for facts, check out how many government grants are provided to assist under-educated, under-employed regions that specifically say the recipient must be a minority. Go check out the various not-for-profits that staff your local employment office (would you be surprised to learn that the vast majority of the employees are not government / state workers but are actually working for a not-for-profit????). Check how that money is spent and how much goes for direct services to the under-educated, under-employed minority. Then look at the administrative costs. Take a look at who makes up the administration of the not-for-profit in that area. You might be surprised and disappointed at the same time. Get off the sidelines and do the fact-checking and then come back and complain about nothing being done to help serve the under-educated and under-employed minority.
Well we can clearly wash our hands of this whole racism thing. White people have provided grants! Hooray, problem solved! Now if those minorities would just take us up on all that has been so graciously provided and make their lives better. But I guess you just can't help some people, right? Perhaps I misunderstood your post though, because you just gave homework without making much of a point. But you guys all have the same playbook for your defense mechanism, so I assume I got your drift. Grants are nice, but a better first step would be to stop shooting people.
Bet you gentleman are unaware that the National Anthem was never played before athletic events until WWII, when it was a clearly appropriate patriotic gesture. Only they never stopped playing it when the war was over. And now the military industrial petroleum complex owns the national anthem, and our military budget is larger than the rest of the worlds combined. Listen to Eisenhower's farewell address. Read the 3rd verse of the Star Spangled Banner, which advocates the murder of the black soldiers who fought on the side of the British in the war of 1812 -- having been promised their freedom. A promise the Brits lived up to when the war was over. Right on, Megan.