Megan Rapinoe
July 5, 1985 — Redding, California
Megan Rapinoe is an American former professional soccer player and activist who became one of the most recognizable athletes in the world — twice winning the FIFA Women's World Cup, winning the Ballon d'Or Féminin in 2019, and using her platform to speak loudly on issues of equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice.
From Redding to the National Team
Born on July 5, 1985, in Redding, California, Rapinoe grew up playing soccer alongside her twin sister Rachael. She played college soccer at the University of Portland, where she became a two-time All-American. After being drafted by the Chicago Red Stars in the first WPS draft in 2009, she began her rise through the professional ranks. She made her debut with the US Women's National Team in 2006, and over time became one of the team's most important players — a dynamic winger with technical brilliance and an unmistakable competitive fire.
World Cup Glory and the 2019 Peak
Rapinoe was part of the US team that won the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada, but it was the 2019 tournament in France where she reached her absolute apex. She scored six goals and added three assists, won the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer, the Golden Ball as its best player, and co-captained the team to the championship. The television images of Rapinoe with her arms outstretched on the pitch — a pose she later described as her "superhero" moment — became iconic. That year she also won the Ballon d'Or Féminin and was named The Best FIFA Women's Player.
Did You Know?
Megan Rapinoe became the first white professional athlete in a team sport to kneel during the national anthem in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick's protest in 2016. US Soccer subsequently instituted a rule requiring players to stand — a rule later repealed in 2020 following the wave of social justice protests. Rapinoe has remained consistently outspoken: before the 2019 World Cup, she stated she would not visit "the f***ing White House" if the team won, which they did.
Activism, Legacy, and Life After Soccer
Beyond the pitch, Rapinoe became a prominent activist for equal pay — the US women's team's long legal battle for pay equity with the men's team culminated in a historic $24 million settlement in 2022. She was also a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, having come out publicly in 2012. She co-authored a memoir, One Life (2020), exploring sport, identity, and activism. Rapinoe retired from professional soccer in 2023 following a torn ACL in her final NWSL match. Her twin sister Rachael also played professionally, giving the family an unparalleled bond through the sport.