U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe considers herself lucky to be an American amid scrutiny over her comments about President Trump while she plays in the World Cup.
“I think that I am particularly and uniquely and very deeply American,” Rapinoe told reporters Tuesday.
“I know that I’m not perfect, but I think that I stand for honesty and for truth and for wanting to have a conversation and for looking at the country honestly,” she said. “I feel very fortunate to be in this country. I’d never be able to do this in a lot of other places but also, that doesn’t mean that we can’t get better, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive to be better.”
Rapinoe, who is openly gay, has protested during the national anthem for years, following in the footsteps of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The 33-year-old has since stood with her arms at her sides and has not sung the anthem after the U.S. Soccer Federation required players to stand during the song.
“When I take a knee, I am facing the flag with my full body, staring straight into the heart of our country’s ultimate symbol of freedom — because I believe it is my responsibility, just as it is yours, to ensure that freedom is afforded to everyone in this country,” she wrote in 2016.
The anthem protest and her refusal to visit the White House if the U.S. women’s national team takes home the gold trophy caught the attention of Trump, who told her to “finish the job” before talking smack.
“Megan should never disrespect our Country, the White House, or our Flag,” Trump tweeted last month. “Be proud of the Flag that you wear.”
Rapinoe was “completely unfazed” by Trump’s attacks, her partner and WNBA star Sue Bird wrote Tuesday ahead of the U.S. semifinal against England.
Rapinoe was expected to play after scoring four goals in the last two World Cup games, but was benched due to a hamstring injury. The U.S. beat England 2-1, advancing to the final on Sunday.
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