“She Was Getting Death Threats”: American Soccer Star Megan Rapinoe’s Mom Says She Was Worried for Her Daughter

2019 Ballon d’Or winner Megan Rapinoe needs no introduction when it comes to women’s soccer. She has been very successful in her career spanning 13 years, in which she played for some of the top teams in the US, Australia, and Europe. She recently made the headlines as she became a part of star-studded free agents in the NWSL. Rapinoe’s future next year is still up in the air as she aims to play her 12th season in the top-tier league in the US.

Rapinoe first came into the spotlight in 2016 when she took a knee during a few club and national team games. Megan’s mother recently revealed how she was worried about her daughter at that time.

Soccer superstar Megan Rapinoe was a popular figure among US sports circles after winning the 2015 World Cup. However, she used her popularity and influence to send a message in 2016 by taking a knee. Rapinoe openly supported Colin Kaepernick‘s protest against racial injustice and police brutality. However, she became a part of several debates around the world and many didn’t welcome her decision to support the former 49ers star.

Rapinoe faced a lot of backlash at that time, leading to ‘death threats’, according to her mother Denise. Denise has been very supportive of her daughter throughout her career. She recently admitted being ‘most worried’ about Megan six years ago when she took a knee during a few NWSL and national team games.

Denise Rapinoe admits being worried about her daughter Megan Rapinoe in 2016

Denise Rapinoe recently appeared on the ‘Your Mom‘ podcast, co-hosted by Ashley Adamson and Lisa McCaffrey. During the podcast, she was about the time when she was most worried about her daughter.

To this, she replied: “I was most worried about her when she took the knee in ’16. She was the first female, in my knowledge, and definitely the first soccer player right up there with all. So I was very worried about that. There was a lot of backlashes.”

Denise continued: “That worried me. She even had to have security. She was getting death threats. I was very scared.”

Megan Rapinoe took a knee during a game against the Red Stars in Chicago. She later admitted that it was ‘intentional’.

Rapinoe went on to take a knee again ahead of the USWNT’s friendly game against Thailand later that month. She received both support and criticism for taking a knee.

Denise supported her daughter amidst the backlash

Later in the podcast, Megan Rapinoe’s mother revealed that she supported her decision. She also admitted believing in the cause. However, she was worried about her daughter amidst all the backlash she was receiving.

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“I understood why and I totally supported that,” Denise said. “Because I do believe all of that, you know, that was going on. And still, to this day, you know, stereotyping, just such inequity. I did. I was just worried about her.”

The 37-year-old midfielder will become a free agent during the off-season. She has been with the OL Reign since 2013 and has featured in more than 90 games for the Seattle-based side. However, her future is still up in the air ahead of the new NWSL season. But it could all be decided soon, with many eligible free agents already on the move.

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What do you think of Megan Rapinoe’s stand in 2016? Let us know in the comment section below.