sport news Megan Rapinoe makes first public appearance since calling out US women's soccer ... trends now
Megan Rapinoe took a courtside seat for a LeBron James masterclass in Brooklyn on Sunday night, her first public appearance since calling out a USA women's soccer player of an anti-LGBT TikTok post.
Rapinoe had one of the best seats in the house as James scored 40 points to propel the Lakers to a 116-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
The 38-year-old was shown on the jumbotron at a pause in the game alongside Tommy Alter.
It marks Rapinoe's first public appearance since she called out USWNT player Korbin Albert for sharing a re-post on TikTok of a Christian worship space discussing how being gay and 'feeling transgender' is wrong.
Rapinoe posted a critical message on her Instagram story in response that did not directly name Albert but she later confirmed to The Athletic that she was the intended recipient.
Megan Rapinoe had a courtside seat for Lakers vs Nets in Brooklyn on Sunday evening
The 38-year-old Rapinoe had a seat next to Tommy Alter to watch the NBA game
She and Sue Bird posed for a picture with Arij Mikati after the game in Brooklyn on Sunday
Rapinoe wrote: 'To the people who want to hide behind "my beliefs" I would just ask one question, are you making any time of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance of better, bringing the best out of anyone? … because if you aren't all you believe in is hate.
'And Kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake TF up! Yours Truly, #15.'
Senior players within the USWNT shared Rapinoe's post. USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn shared it with the caption 'well said' while other re-posts came from Lynn Williams, Kristie Mewis and now-retired midfielder Sam Mewis.
The 20-year-old Albert, seen as a rising star within the women's national team, has posted some similar content on her profile before - including a now-deleted post on her TikTok account from Fourth of July weekend showing her family and saying 'their pronouns are U.S.A.'
She also previously 'liked' a post on Instagram that was revealed via a screencap of a meme that read 'God taking time off performing miracles to make sure Megan Rapinoe sprains her ankle in her final ever game'.
Rapinoe tore her Achilles tendon in the 2023 NWSL Championship game in just the third minute and watched as her team, OL Reign, lost to Gotham FC on penalty kicks.
Albert currently wears the No. 15 jersey - the one Rapinoe wore with her time in the USWNT.
