via Getty
MANHATTAN, NY – JULY 10: Megan Rapinoe #15 of United States gives an impassioned speech on the steps of City Hall after the ticker tape parade down Broadway and through the through the Canyon of Heroes,. This celebration was put on by the City of Manhattan to honor the team winning the 2019 FIFA World Cup Championship title, their fourth, played in France against Netherlands, at the City Hall Ceremony in the Manhattan borough of New York on July 10, 2019, USA. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
via Getty
MANHATTAN, NY – JULY 10: Megan Rapinoe #15 of United States gives an impassioned speech on the steps of City Hall after the ticker tape parade down Broadway and through the through the Canyon of Heroes,. This celebration was put on by the City of Manhattan to honor the team winning the 2019 FIFA World Cup Championship title, their fourth, played in France against Netherlands, at the City Hall Ceremony in the Manhattan borough of New York on July 10, 2019, USA. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
But, as many supporters as she may have, there are always critics. Many individuals find her out-and-out rebel behavior distracting and over the top. Consequently, she does get criticized for the methods she chooses to protest.
Megan Rapinoe criticized due to her protest during the National Anthem
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This soccer star is an icon to many across America and the world. Megan had her grand debut in competitive soccer in 2006 and since then she has been a driving force in the game. She has been the captain of her team and was the person to bring home two world cups (2015 and 2019).
Rapinoe was also the winner of various other prestigious awards like the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2019, and the Best FIFA Women’s Player (2019) among others. Megan has also been an advocate for equality and was one of the leading people to speak up about such issues in the sporting world. She was one of the first players to take a knee on the field to protest against inequality and racism.
When Rapinoe was awarded the Presidential medal of freedom, the country was in a debacle whether to praise it or protest it. The olympian did get some support for this achievement but there were also some criticisms.
Critics questioned that by doing what Rapinoe has done i.e, taking a knee during the national anthem, she did not deserve the medal in any way. However, her fans were in support of the decision and said it was her right to protest.
The long-lasting aftermath
That was not the last time Megan kneeled to show a protest against racism. During the 2020 Olympics, they took this gesture to the next level when all the players of the team kneeled during a soccer match to exhibit solidarity.
Is Megan Rapinoe the first person in American history to receive the Medal of Freedom after openly disrespecting the national anthem?
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) July 1, 2022
Megan was awarded the ‘Presidential Medal Of Freedom’ along with stars like Simone Biles and another nurse, who was the first person to take the COVID vaccine.
The national anthem is not alive and cannot feel respect or disrespect.
— Tweet Addict (@TweetAddictus) July 1, 2022
But Megan has a way of her own, and fans love to see that!
Nick, I’m a veteran.
I fully support Gabe Kapler, Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe and any others when they peacefully protest during the national anthem.
I vowed to protect and defend the Constitution. That includes the constitutional right to protest.
— Brutus (@brutus_87to98) May 30, 2022
Even a few veterans came forth to speak on behalf of Megan. So, positive messages poured in from all corners for the soccer legend.
Reminder: @mPinoe was the FIRST non-Black professional athlete to take a knee during the national anthem in support of @Kaepernick7’s efforts to raise awareness about police brutality and killing of Black people.
She is remarkable in many ways.#EqualPayDay #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/fD0xVeJkWy
— Leah McElrath 🏳️🌈 (@leahmcelrath) March 24, 2021
A few people were amused at the whole thing.
I think it was her legal right to protest…or maybe she was praying 😂. She is a bad ass American women! I know that makes you feel scared and small.
— Lindsay Douty (@linnic12) July 2, 2022
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Felix Frankfurter. Carl Sandburg. TS Eliot. Steinbeck. Jesse Owens. MLK. Rachel Carson. Elbert Tuttle.
The point isn't that they disrespected the Anthem. The point is that they recognized that we could and should do better.
— chris What Empty Folders? crews (@christophcrews) July 1, 2022
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WATCH THIS STORY: Megan Rapinoe Once Slammed Bubba Wallace Haters Amidst the Infamous Noose Incident
With all being said and done, her fans are probably waiting for the Megan Magic to strike once again.
