Tired of Headlines Like: With Solo, U.S. Soccer Ignores Lessons Taught By NFL, WNBA?
Updated 6/22/15
Nothing is more important that keeping our children safe and ending domestic violence.
This article is a response to the current media firestorm directed at Hope Solo as she steps in front of our Nation’s goal on the world stage at the Women’s World Cup. The time of these negative headlines seem purposeful and manipulative. The comparison of Hope Solo to Ray Rice incited this article – I was one of the millions who watched Rice’s elevator video and can’t image how anyone can liken those actions and the resulting response from the NFL to Hope Solo and U.S. Soccer.
As a member of the media – and a member of the human race – we all know there are many sides to every story. Obviously overly outspoken, Hope Solo is a highly talented goalie whose personal life is under scrutiny – but as the USA team takes to the field to battle another country for the gold – is this really the time to start battling amongst each other?
Far from the abuse an American NFL footballer could inflict on a woman, questions still linger on Hope Solo’s altercation with her football-sized nephew. Why can’t these domestic abuse issues stop clouding the soccer star’s accomplishments on the soccer field?
In My View – Hope Solo is not a symbol of domestic violence. Hope Solo is probably the best female goalie in the world and an excellent goalie for the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Why are people comparing Hope Solo’s dismissed charge with the NFL’s domestic violence cases involving players like Ray Rice? Nearly everyone on the planet saw the video of Ray Rice punching his fiancee, knocking her out cold in an elevator. How can Rice’s actions be compared to the dismissed allegations against Solo’s?
Now, TMZ Sports has reported that NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp is a suspect in a domestic violence probe in Las Vegas? Obviously, the allegations of domestic violence by NFL players continues but the case against Solo was dismissed in January.
People Magazine just ran a new article in which ’embattled soccer sensation’ Hope Solo admitted that the domestic violence drama has been ‘Traumatic and Embarrassing’.
Sunil Gulati, U.S. Soccer president, defended the Soccer federation’s review into the domestic violence charges against Hope Solo in a letter sent to U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) complaining that U.S. Soccer did not properly review Solo’s year-old case thoroughly is insulting to many soccer fans.
Back in January, Hope Solo said after the judge dismissed charges of abuse against her, “Today’s decision brings closure to what has been one of the most difficult and emotionally draining times of my life. I always had faith that once the facts of the case were presented, I would be cleared of all charges and I am so happy and relieved to finally have it all behind me.”
Hope Solo has always thanked the U.S. Soccer Federation, her coaches and teammates on the U.S. and Seattle Reign teams, “all of whom, under great pressure to do otherwise, chose to stand by and believe in me,” Solo said.
Families can be eccentric, crazy and even physical at times. Blended families are even more complicated and capable of malignant jealousies. Will we ever know what happened in that house when Hope Solo was with her half-sister, Teresa Obert and her then-17-year-old son nephew? Somehow the image of Hope Solo, with her 5’9″ frame, beating up her 6’8″, 270 pounds nephew does not depict a clear and easy to understand picture.
Where to draw the line is clear on domestic violence – but somehow Hope Solo, no matter how capable she is in front of the net, is not as strong as an NFL footballer, nor someone who deserves all the comparisons and continued allegations as she stands fearlessly in front of the USA’s net and protects us from goals.
Hope Solo grew up on the soccer field and becoming an overnight sensation in the glaring light of public scrutiny is hard for anyone, especially an outspoken, young athlete who may not always realize the unrelenting responsibilities of stardom — but Hope Solo’s outstanding World Cup performance should not be overshadowed by this controversy.
US Soccer Team Image from Hope Solo Website / Hope Solo Facebook
