Megan Rapinoe’s Presidential Medal of Freedom: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan are pioneers of women’s soccer inside and outside America. Over the years, due to her strong demeanor, Rapinoe has become a role model for many fans. She has also led the path for those who proudly belong to the LGBTQ community.

The fans now consider the USWNT star a true inspiration and have taken a liking to have towards her. And that wasn’t even the start of her list of achievements. Apart from helping the LGBTQ community, she has also strived for equal pay for men and women in soccer.

In 2022, Megan Rapinoe received the Presidential Medal of Freedom aka the nation’s highest civilian honor. She was a long-deserving candidate for this award, considering her contributions to society.

When Megan Rapinoe received her Medal of Freedom?

Megan Rapinoe received her Presidential Medal of Freedom on July 7, 2022, along with 16 other individuals. Joe Biden led this prestigious ceremony at the White House itself.

Here is why Rapinoe received the Medal of Freedom

US President Joe Biden spoke very highly of Megan Rapinoe before and after awarding the prestigious civilian honor. He proudly admitted that Rapinoe deserved this award after her ‘meritorious’ contribution. She had helped American society as a whole in the last few years. Moving away from traditional beliefs isn’t the most convenient thing to do and Rapinoe made an entire nation change the way they perceive a lot of taboo subjects.

From controversially taking a knee before soccer games to going on strike with several other USWNT teammates, the USWNT legend has done it all. Many people around her haven’t always supported her. However, Rapinoe never backed down, even if there was no support. Her contribution to society has been detrimental to the way most people think today.

Megan Rapinoe – The only soccer player to receive this honor

Megan Rapinoe became the first ever soccer player to receive this prestigious honor. She also was also the only sixth female athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

President Joe Biden’s speech for Megan Rapinoe

This is what Joe Biden said before honoring Megan Rapinoe. He said, “Beyond the World Cup title to Olympic medals, Megan is a champion for essential American truth that everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. She helped lead the change for perhaps the most important victory for anyone on our soccer team or any soccer team: equal pay for women”, as per NBC news.

Rapinoe’s call for help for Brittney Griner while receiving the medal

Megan Rapinoe has always been vocal about numerous sensitive and taboo subjects. She decided to extend her support to a fellow athlete while receiving her medal of freedom. Rapinoe paid a heart-warming tribute to WNBA star, Brittney Griner, after sporting a white blazer with a special message. The cameras zoomed into the lapel of her blazer to have a clear view of her tribute.

The initials ‘BG’ was threaded on the lapel of her blazer along with a flower. After the ceremony, Rapinoe also posted a picture of her lapel and wrote, “the most important part of today”.

In February 2022, the Russian authorities detained Griner and charged her with illegally carrying drugs into the country. The authorities detained Griner for allegedly carrying hashish oil and vape cartridges in her luggage. She pleaded guilty as soon as she got the opportunity and confirmed that there was no intent behind her actions.

Other athletes receive the medal for freedom alongside Rapinoe

16 other individuals alongside Rapinoe received the medal for freedom from Joe Biden. Among the sixteen of them, Simone Biles was the only other athlete to receive the honor. Biles and Rapinoe became the fifth and sixth female athletes to receive this prestigious honor. Megan Rapinoe also became the first ever soccer player to receive the medal.

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Fiancé Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe’s teammates’ reactions

Rapinoe’s fiancé, Sue Bird, was present in the audience while her better half was receiving the medal of freedom. The WNBA legend was excited and eagerly waiting for Rapinoe’s turn. Bird pulled out her phone and raised it to click pictures of Rapinoe. The USWNT star didn’t notice her hand at first and continued to look around.

However, Rapinoe stopped clapping and smiled for a picture a few seconds later. Another fan from the crowd captured this heartwarming moment between the athlete couple.

Alex Morgan was one of her closest teammates to react to the news. She reposted a tweet from the USWNT’s official Twitter handle. Morgan wrote, “All the emotions for my girl @mPinoe!!!!”. Her message was also accompanied by a few ‘overwhelming’ emojis. Rapinoe also had a blast with her other USWNT teammates after receiving the award.

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Which other soccer star should receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom? Let us know in the comments below.