Megan Rapinoe says she’s “devastated” to learn that the Pro Soccer Hall of Fame has removed her from consideration indefinitely.
Megan Rapinoe “Devastated” After Pro Soccer Hall of Fame Removes Her from Consideration: “It’s Not Just About the Sport Anymore”
Posted July 12, 2025
In a move that has stunned fans, pundits, and even her harshest critics, the Pro Soccer Hall of Fame has removed Megan Rapinoe from consideration for induction—indefinitely.
Despite her decorated career and immeasurable impact on women’s soccer in the United States and around the world, the Hall’s nominating committee issued a firm statement: “There’s more to being inducted than just being good at the sport. You also have to be a role model.”
The statement makes it clear that Rapinoe, whose activism and outspoken political stances have polarized audiences for years, no longer meets the committee’s definition of a Hall of Fame-worthy figure—at least not until 2035, when she’ll have a chance to reapply.
Rapinoe, 39, responded quickly and emotionally.
“I’m devastated,” she told The Guardian. “To have my legacy questioned like this—it hurts. I’ve always tried to stand for something bigger than just myself, and now I’m being told that makes me less worthy of recognition. I honestly don’t even know what to say.”
A Career of Excellence Overshadowed?
Megan Rapinoe’s résumé is one that most athletes can only dream of. A two-time World Cup champion (2015, 2019), Olympic gold medalist (2012), Ballon d’Or Féminin winner (2019), and a former co-captain of the USWNT, she was once the face of global women’s soccer.
On the pitch, she was electric—a skilled winger known for her pinpoint crosses, deadly left foot, and leadership in clutch moments. Off the pitch, however, Rapinoe carved out a role as an unapologetic activist—kneeling for the national anthem, confronting inequality, and calling out what she saw as hypocrisy within U.S. institutions, sports federations, and even the government.
For many, that outspokenness is what made her legendary. For others—including, it seems, some members of the Hall of Fame committee—that same fire made her too controversial.
The Role Model Debate
The Hall of Fame’s announcement included language that has become a flashpoint:
“Athletic excellence is just one component of the Hall’s mission. Our inductees must reflect integrity, sportsmanship, and the spirit of the game—on and off the field.”
While they stopped short of citing specific incidents, the subtext is impossible to ignore. Rapinoe’s public criticism of the national anthem, her frequent political commentary, and her willingness to “call out” those in power has made her a divisive figure. She’s clashed with media figures, politicians, and even some fans.
Some committee members reportedly felt that her style, tone, and willingness to “antagonize” didn’t align with the Hall’s broader expectations for an inductee who would serve as a “standard-bearer for future generations.”
Public Reaction: Praise, Backlash, and Outrage
The reaction online has been immediate—and furious.
Teammates like Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach, and Christen Press have voiced support for Rapinoe, calling the decision “a disgrace” and “a massive step backward.”
“You don’t erase greatness because you disagree with someone’s politics,” said Wambach on Instagram. “Megan changed the game for all of us.”
Meanwhile, critics of Rapinoe’s activism have praised the Hall’s decision, seeing it as a long-overdue reckoning with what they call her “grandstanding.”
Right-wing commentator Tomi Lahren wrote, “Finally, someone is holding Megan Rapinoe accountable. Being good at soccer doesn’t mean you get to trash your country and be honored for it.”
Is This About Politics—or Power?
To Rapinoe’s defenders, the Hall of Fame snub is about far more than her résumé—it’s about silencing voices that challenge the status quo. They argue that Rapinoe is being punished not for any ethical failings, but for daring to be a strong, queer, progressive woman in a male-dominated, often conservative sports world.
“Let’s be real,” said ESPN analyst Sarah Spain. “If Megan were a quiet, flag-waving patriot who just scored goals and kept her head down, she’d already be in the Hall. But because she dared to ask for more—for herself, for her teammates, for her country—now she’s too ‘divisive’? That’s cowardice, plain and simple.”
Others note the double standard. Male athletes, including some with criminal records or histories of unsportsmanlike behavior, have been inducted without much fuss. Rapinoe, meanwhile, is effectively being penalized for expressing beliefs, not for violating rules or laws.
A Waiting Game: The 2035 Class
According to the Hall’s new guidelines, Rapinoe won’t be eligible for re-nomination until 2035—a full decade from now. The committee framed it as a “cooling off” period, giving time for a “reassessment of her public image and legacy.”
But that rationale raises troubling questions. What exactly is Rapinoe expected to do in those 10 years? Remain silent? Apologize for standing up for causes she believes in?
When asked if she would attempt to “plead her case” in 2035, Rapinoe was candid:
“Honestly, I don’t know. If the Hall needs me to be less myself to be worthy, maybe it’s not a place I belong. But I’ll keep fighting—for the game, for the next generation, and for what’s right.”
Legacy, Redefined
Rapinoe may never enter the Hall of Fame. Or perhaps, in 10 years, public sentiment will shift, and the committee will reconsider. But regardless of official recognition, her legacy is undeniable.
She helped transform women’s soccer into a global cultural force, secured equal pay rights for female athletes, and made millions feel seen, heard, and represented in a sport that long ignored them.
Even without the plaque or the ceremony, Megan Rapinoe has already done what the Hall claims to value most: inspire the future of the game.
And in doing so, she may have become something more enduring than a Hall of Famer—a symbol of resistance, courage, and conviction in a world that still doesn’t know how to handle women who refuse to play nice.
Conclusion
The Pro Soccer Hall of Fame’s decision to remove Megan Rapinoe from consideration is as symbolic as it is controversial. It forces a national conversation about who we choose to honor, and why. Is greatness defined by goals and trophies alone—or is it shaped by the courage to fight for something greater than yourself?
Megan Rapinoe may be out of the running for now, but in the hearts of countless fans, players, and advocates, she’s already in a Hall of Fame that matters more—one built not of marble and medals, but of values, bravery, and unapologetic truth.
Time will tell how history remembers this moment. But if Rapinoe has proven anything, it’s this: she doesn’t need a plaque to prove her worth.
She’s already made her mark.