American soccer star Megan Rapinoe has stirred up quite the storm on Twitter by hailing former WNBA star Sue Bird for having the “best career in any sport ever”. Sports fans were up in arms at this statement, throwing a multitude of names of athletes with apparently better careers at Rapinoe. And when it comes to athletes with arguably the best careers ever, Serena Williams is always going to be a prominent name that crops up.
Seattle Storm, the WNBA team that Sue Bird played for, retired her number 10 jersey as a tribute to her amazingly long and decorated career. Bird’s fiancé and soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who was one half of the emcees with the other being Macklemore, made a statement that she probably did not expect to kick up such a storm.
What about Serena Williams?
Sue Bird has had quite the career, one certainly worthy of catapulting her up on the list of some of the best sporting careers of all time. And when she is your fiancé, you’re not going to have eyes for anyone else are you? Naturally, Rapinoe was not going to be really thinking about Serena Williams during such an emotional event that was celebrating her partner in life. However, rather than giving her a pass for the same, many took to Twitter to voice their indignation at her suggestion.
“Congratulations on like, arguably the best career that anyone has ever had in the history of any sport ever.”
Many of these protestors had Williams on their list and they weren’t shying away from hammering that at Rapinoe.
While there was an overwhelming tide of posts ridiculing Megan Rapinoe, there were those who pointed out the fact that when it comes down to it, it’s a person heaping praise on their life partner.
Taken at face value, Rapinoe’s comment is certainly bordering on mind-boggling; however, take into account the relationship between the two and you can understand why she would say it.
While Bird has definitely had a wonderful career that warrants retiring her jersey, there are athletes who would eclipse Bird’s achievements. Serena Williams would certainly be one of those who has scaled greater heights than Bird.
But leave it to Twitter to make a mountain out of a molehill. Rapinoe is no stranger to controversial statements that divide the people but this time around the hate is certainly a little unfair if you take into consideration all the context.
