USWNT

“Stop playing like a girl.”

Five words that can quickly bring down someone’s motivation and self-esteem. Over the years, this stereotype has been used as an insult for both boys and girls. It’s a simple way of telling someone they aren’t good enough. Over time, women have done their best to break this harmful stereotypes. Luckily, there are a growing number of celebrities and role models speaking out for gender equality today. 

We recently found out that soccer has caused Carli Lloyd a lot of family drama and strained relationships over the years, but now she might be ready to put soccer aside and focus on her family. 

Hope Solo no longer has to worry about her shoulder issues. The goalkeeper for the U.S. Women’s National team is currently on a six-month suspension from the team, which gave her time to have much-needed shoulder surgery, which took place this past Tuesday. 

“For the first time in years, I can raise my right arm above my head,”  Solo said in a post on Instagram. “I’m filled with excitement knowing how life-changing this is and I look forward to coming back healthier and stronger than ever.”

When one wants something more than anything in the world, one has to make sacrifices. This is especially the case for professional athletes.

If you haven’t turned on a television, listened to the radio, picked up a newspaper, scrolled through Twitter or checked Facebook in the last few weeks, let me get you up to speed: the national anthem is a BIG deal. 

America’s “Star-Spangled Banner” became everyone’s favorite hot-take after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem in protest of racial inequality and, more specifically, the treatment of African Americans in the United States.