Advice From Brandi Chastian
Just announced, former women’s national team star Brandi Chastain is among the nominees for induction into the 2016 U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame class. One of the most famous women soccer players ever, Chastain, shares her advice that athletes are in charge of their own destiny. This is the first time that two-time Women’s World Cup winner and gold medalist Chastain is eligible for the honor of being considered for the Hall of Fame.
“Athletes sacrifice so much to train and qualify for @TeamUSA,” wrote Chastain this month on Twitter — hear what this ultra professional believes is important.
Brandi Chastain, a Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) National Advisory Board Member, is famed for her iconic penalty kick conversion that clinched the 1999 Women’s World Cup Soccer title for the USA — and taking off her jersey in celebration. While she may be etched in the record books forever for tearing off her jersey after successfully converting the penalty kick, Chastain’s international career as a professional soccer defender and midfielder spanned two decades. Among her many career highlights was earning the 1996 Olympic gold medal and 1999 and 2003 Women’s World Cup titles.
Earlier this month, Chastain announced that after she dies, she wants to donate her brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation to be studied in the hopes of finding new information on the effects of concussions. Chastain has never been officially diagnosed with a concussion but she is a strong advocate of preventing youth players under the age of 14 from heading the soccer ball. Chastain, along with Cindy Parlow Cone and Joy Fawcett kicked off Safer Soccer in 2014, led by the Concussion Legacy Foundation, the Santa Clara University Institute of Sports Law and Ethics (ISLE).
Chastain also serves as a color commentator for both NBC and ABC, is a volunteer assistant coach at Santa Clara University and the developer of ReachUp! – a foundation formed to empower girls through sports and mentorship.
Chastain has learned a lot through sports, and here she shares what she considers to be the greatest advice for young athletes: All athletes are in charge of their own fates. Whatever they want in the way of success, they are in charge of pursuing it. A coach’s job is to give athletes the resources necessary to improve, but ultimately the improvement is up to the athlete’s own sense of determination, desire and work ethic. This might mean putting in extra work outside of practice or out of season, but it’s in the athlete’s control.
Related Articles: Brandi Chastain Says, “No Headers For Anyone 14 and Under – Not Even For My Kids.”, 2016 Double-Goal Coach Award Winners
