Soccer star Hope Solo requested a postponement for her induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame to voluntarily enter a rehab facility after she was arrested on DUI charges last month.
The athlete, who was nominated in January, said in a statement on social media that for now, her priorities are her health and family.
“I have contacted the Hall of Fame and respectfully requested a postponement of my Hall of Fame induction ceremony to 2023. I will be voluntarily entering an in-patient alcohol treatment program to address my challenges with alcohol,” Solo said Friday. “At this time, my energies and focus are totally directed to my health, healing, and taking care of my family. I want to thank the Hall of Fame for their support and for understanding my decision.”
US TO COMPETE WITH IRAN, ENGLAND, AND MAYBE UKRAINE IN WORLD CUP
Solo, 40, was arrested in North Carolina last month on drunken-driving charges with her twin toddlers in the backseat. A woman noticed Solo fell asleep in the driver’s seat of her car with its motor running and the children in the backseat, according to the police report obtained by US Magazine. Solo declined to take a field sobriety test and was escorted to the station, where a blood sample was taken instead. She was charged with impaired driving, resisting a public officer, and misdemeanor child abuse.
Solo’s husband, former Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Jerramy Stevens, was arrested on a DUI charge with Solo in the car in 2015. The incident resulted in a 30-day suspension from the team for Solo, who also had charges brought against her in 2014 for an alleged altercation with her family, but those charges were dropped.
Solo, who has spent 16 years as a goalie on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, ended her career in 2016 after calling the women’s Swedish soccer team “cowards” for playing a heavily defensive game after it eliminated the U.S. team in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The comments earned her a termination of her contract and a six-month suspension. Solo competed in two other Summer Olympics and collected two gold medals.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Solo’s induction ceremony was scheduled for May 21. She will appear in court for her arrest June 28.
