Soccer star Megan Rapinoe was dubbed “Sportsperson of the Year” by Sports Illustrated for her outspoken performance during the World Cup.
The U.S. women took home their fourth World Cup in 2019 and were led by Rapinoe on and off the field. Rapinoe catapulted herself into headlines by bashing President Trump and making it clear she would never visit the White House under his watch, even before they had won the cup.
Trump told Rapinoe she needed to “win first” to get the invite, sparking a feud that lasted throughout the games.
She also led calls for equal pay for female athletes. Rapinoe claimed the women’s national team was paid less than the men’s team, who has had dismal performances on the world stage. She filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation about the alleged pay gap. Findings from the lawsuit revealed that the federation had actually paid the women more, though the lawsuit is still underway.
Sports Illustrated noted that Rapinoe was only the fourth woman to earn the title of “Sportsperson of the Year” in the award’s 66 years.
“Megan Rapinoe is Sportsperson of the Year, though, not because of her newfound fame but because of how she’s handled it. She owned the biggest moment of her life and silenced all the doubts,” they wrote.
Her teammate Becky Sauerbrunn added, “She represents fighting for what you believe in or what you think is right. Fighting against things you think is wrong or evil. I mean, what didn’t she represent?”
Rapinoe said it was “kind of crazy” to earn the title. “I feel like I’m being represented on behalf of the team and everything we do on the field and off the field for reasons of like trying to do better in the world. That really means a lot to me.”
She added, “Yes, it’s a sports award. You have to go out and perform. But, really, me winning it, I feel like, is a win for the good guys.”
The soccer star has racked up quite a few awards, including “Woman of the Year” from Glamour.
Rapinoe’s next premier on the world stage will likely be part of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
