The OL Reign Seattle club announced on Thursday that it was withdrawing the number 15 flocked jersey in tribute to former American football superstar Megan Rapinoe, who retired since November.
The official retirement of this jersey, a widespread practice to honor the great names of American sport, will take place during a ceremony organized by the WSL club, the American women’s soccer championship, on August 25 during the reception of the North Carolina Courage.
A formidable attacker, double world champion (2015, 2019) and Olympic champion (2012) with the United States, Megan Rapinoe has become a symbol of the expansion of women’s football in the United States and around the world.
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This feminist activist has also taken on a global dimension through her activism, on the front line of the fight for LGBT rights since her coming out in 2012 and firmly opposed to police violence against black people.
The 2019 Women’s Ballon d’Or has been involved with the Seattle team since its creation in 2013, and then played there until the end of her career after a brief stint at Olympique Lyonnais, who bought the club from Seattle in 2020.
“I’ve been through so much with this jersey, I’m so proud to have it retired for me,” Megan Rapinoe, 38, said in a statement.
“It’s almost impossible to describe the impact that “Pinoe” has had on this sport,” said Laura Harvey, OL Reign coach.