Tag: Sportsperson of the Year

Posted on

Megan Rapinoe Named Sports Illustrated Sportsperson Of The Year

Out lesbian U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe has been named Sports Illustrated‘s Sportsperson of the Year. Among the athlete’s many accomplishments in 2019 was leading the American team to victory at the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France. Rapinoe becomes only the 4th solo woman in 66 years to be named Sportsperson of the Year.

In its profile of Rapinoe, Sports Illustrated calls a photo of the 34-year-old posing after scoring the winning goal in the World Cup the “signature sporting image of 2019.” Rapinoe said her winning pose was a direct response to the president. “It was kind of like a ‘F— you,’ but with a big smile and a s— eating grin,” Rapinoe says. “You are not going to steal any of our joy.”

The magazine also highlighted her refusal to visit Trump’s White House after she brought the U.S. to victory and how she bravely faced down temper tantrums from Donald Trump, who tweeted his disapproval of the athlete. “I’m going to do me,” she told the magazine.