Growing up as a female soccer player, Abby Wambach was my hero.
She was the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time), to put it simply. Her 2011 World Cup header goal against Brazil stole the hearts of all Americans and wowed soccer lovers from all around the world – just thinking about it gives me chills.
In fact, her header was voted in 2015 to be the best moment in Women’s World Cup history by Fifa. She has scored more goals in international competition that anyone else in the world, man or woman.
However, her retirement in November of 2015 brought sadness to many.
Seeing her name in the newspaper surprised me, because my childhood hero was no longer playing, and I hadn’t heard much of her since that November. When I read the story, I was devastated.
Wambach was arrested for a DUI in Portland on April 2, 2016. She failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over for running a red light. On April 5th Wambach entered a not guilty plea but her April 12th plea was of guilty.
In exchange for her guilty plea, Wambach was put into a “diversion program.” This program will consist of classes and drug/alcohol tests – it is only an option for first-time offenders. It is also likely that this program will require her to pass a breathalyzer test before operating her vehicle, according to multiple online sources.
Wambach says she takes “full responsibility” for her mistake. In her Facebook post, she showed disappointment in herself and made a promise that it would never happen again.
She wrote:
“Those that know me, know that I have always demanded excellence from myself. I have let myself and others down. I take full responsibility for my actions. This is all on me. I promise that I will do whatever it takes to ensure that my horrible mistake is never repeated. I am so sorry to my family, friends, fans and those that look to follow a better example.”
Truly and honestly, it’s hard to determine how I feel about all of it. Being someone I looked up to, this arrest does make me think of Abby differently – at least temporarily. It does make me proud to see that Abby has already expressed how sorry she is and that she addressed that this is a mistake she won’t make again (in the Facebook post). However, I hope that Abby will be able to use the platform that she’s worked hard to earn to show people that mistakes do happen, but that they will be learned from.
Wambach has worked for the rights of women in the soccer industry, the sports world, and the globe by voicing her opinion and breaking records. I have faith that she will speak out about the issue of drinking and driving once she has made it through this difficult time in her life.
Abby, know that you have so many people who look up to you. We can forgive you of your mistake, but we want to see you work to get better – just as you’ve inspired so many of us to better ourselves on the turf.
Images:
2. http://www.trbimg.com/img-57015381/turbine/la-sp-soccer-abby-wambach-suspicion-of-dui-20160403