“Which Wasn’t Going to Happen”- USWNT’s Megan Rapinoe Discuss NBA Icon Michael Jordan’s Influence That Taught Her to Dream Big

USWNT superstar Megan Rapinoe is a massive Michael Jordan fan since her childhood. Jordan has been an idol for the soccer star and has inspired her to take sports as a career. Rapinoe was a childhood basketball fan and had life-size posters of the NBA legend in her bedroom in the 90s. She grew up as a Chicago Bulls fan before taking up soccer as her career.

The OL Reigns forward has certainly made a name for herself in soccer. Fans know her for her on-the-field heroics but also her off-the-field contributions. Despite basketball being her first love, Rapinoe took up soccer after USWNT won the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. It changed her life. However, Jordan remains a big inspiration in her life.

Michael Jordan inspired Megan Rapinoe to dream big

Recently, Rapinoe was talking to Bob Myers on the Lead By Example podcast of ESPN. She spoke on various aspects, starting with how she dreamed big despite hailing from a small town. She also narrated the influence of NBA legend Michael Jordan on her life. 

“I was a big dreamer for sure. I was just so into sports, I grew up like 90s Bulls fan, 90s Cowboys fan, too. So, I think I’m probably a little bit of the bandwagon,” Rapinoe started. “I feel like I grew up like idolizing that I mean obviously watching Michael Jordan in the Bulls in the 90s,” two-time FIFA World Cup winner added further.

“It was just so entertaining, and I think I was enthralled with that probably mostly just like this is like different than any other sports scene, that I’ve ever seen. I just love playing sports. I don’t really think you know, I didn’t know I was from a small town. I just kind of where you’re from, but I was always kind of like, well that would be amazing. I never remember wanting to be anything other than exactly what I am or you know Michael Jordan, which wasn’t going to happen, but something like that,” Rapinoe said.

What made Rapinoe take up soccer?

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 1999 held in the US is regarded as a game changer for women’s soccer in the country. It inspired many girls and women to take up soccer as their career, and Megan Rapinoe was one of them. USWNT went on to win the tournament, providing a future path for women’s soccer in the country.

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Rapinoe has revealed in her autobiography the legacy and impact of the 1999 World Cup-winning USWNT team on her to take up soccer. After deciding to play soccer, Rapinoe never looked back and went on to win the World Cup twice with USWNT. She will be eyeing her third World Cup medal this year.

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Let us know your thoughts on the impact Michael Jordan had on Megan Rapinoe choosing sports as her career.