Megyn Kelly has accused Megan Rapinoe of “poisoning” the women’s national soccer team, which refused to sing the national anthem at a game, over said controversy.
Kelly Didn’t Hold Back
Kelly talked rather negatively about Rapinoe on her show, saying: “Megan Rapinoe, she’s the leader of all this. She’s not a starter, so that’s why she’s not on camera when they’re doing the national anthem. But she’s behind a lot of this.”
Kelly Hopes the Team Loses
Kelly went on to criticize the whole team. She said: “She [Rapinoe] has poisoned the entire team against the country for which they play. I don’t know about you but I’m not rooting for them. I’m not with them. I hope they lose. It’s shameful. These girls are shameful. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.”
Kelly Claimed the Players Lack Pride
Kelly continued her rant, seemingly unable to understand how someone could possibly not be proud to come from the United States. She said: “They won’t put their hands on their hearts. They don’t feel prideful when they’re out there even though they’re representing the United States of America.”
Kelly Claimed the USA Is More Good Than Bad
Kelly went on to express that she knows the US has some problems but, in her opinion, the good far outweighs the bad. She said: “Yes, we’ve got some flaws. Yes, there have been some warts – but we’re so much more good than we are bad. I mean, they look like they don’t even want to be there. It’s like some sort of inconvenience to be representing the USA.”
Rapinoe Previously Explained Her Point of View
Megan Rapinoe, who’s set to retire this year, previously knelt during the national anthem. She said: “I can understand if you think that I’m disrespecting the flag by kneeling – but it’s because of my utmost respect for the flag, and the promise it represents, that I have chosen to demonstrate in this way.”
Rapinoe Had More to Say
Explaining further, the soccer star said: “When I take a knee, I am facing the flag with my full body, staring straight into the heart of our country’s ultimate symbol of freedom. I believe it is my responsibility, just as it’s yours, to ensure that freedom is afforded to everyone in this country. Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties.”
Online Commenters Defended Rapinoe
Online commenters defended the soccer star. One person wrote: “Megan Rapinoe has done more for women’s professional [soccer] than any other single women’s team player. As for the anthem – it’s called freedom of speech, Kelly. But a goose-stepper like you doesn’t know what that actually means.”
Others Criticized Kelly
Several online commenters were critical of Kelly. “Yawn! What has Megyn Kelly accomplished?” one wrote. “Don’t care what Kelly has to say,” another said. “It seems Megyn Kelly really doesn’t know the meaning of ‘free speech’ or anything of the like,” a third added.
One Commenter Had Some Particularly Strong Opinions
One online commenter, when discussing Kelly, had some very strong opinions. They wrote: “I’m sick and tired of conservative bigots using free speech as an excuse to discriminate against people while mindlessly slamming people who use their free speech to refuse to sing a song.”
Speaking About the Controversy Itself, People Had a Lot to Say
Discussions about Kelly’s comments quickly turned into debates about the controversy at hand. “Fire them. They don’t deserve that spot,” one person wrote, talking about the entire soccer team. “They should not be on the team or in America,” another added. “I agree with you, my fellow American,” a third individual replied to the second.
Others Called for the Women to Be Banned From the NWSL
Some commenters even called for the women to be banned from the NWSL. “All the women who refuse to sing or hold their heart when the anthem is played should be sent home and banned from playing in the NWSL for 5 years! Replace them with genuine college girls who would jump at the opportunity to represent their Country,” one person commented. “Only an American would capitalize ‘country’ while talking about their own,” another replied.
On That Note, International Commenters Were Perplexed
International commenters couldn’t wrap their heads around the backlash. “America is weird,” one person wrote. “I love telling Americans that, in a lot of other countries, patriotism is viewed as cringey. It’s fun watching them try to comprehend it,” a second person replied.
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