zthatisme-blog

[zthatisme-blog]

Very honest article by one of my favorite players to watch on and off the court.

[zthatisme-blog]

Crazy hair day slam dunk 🏀

[zthatisme-blog]

Ode to the USWNT

A soccer fan I had never really been But in 1999 is exactly when Like millions I tuned into the women’s World Cup And in no time at all found myself completely caught up The U.S. vs. China in front of a sold out crowd I had never seen women’s sports fans so loud and so proud

An athlete myself, I quickly studied each name And reminded myself of the rules of the game So when this one came down to penalty kicks I felt confident with each of Coach DiCicco’s picks

Overbeck and Fawcett with a quick one - two Then enter Brianna Scurry declaring “No soup for you!” Lilly and Hamm provided two goals more Followed by Brandi Chastain who had something in store Sealing the win in all of her glory If you had a pulse in ‘99 you know the end to this story

The shedding of her jersey took many by surprise I was not among the critics with their ridiculous whys? It was clear to me that this was more than a game From this point forward women’s sports would not be the same

Cut to twenty years later where new whys exist This time aimed at a team eager to rise and resist Put their money where their mouths were this team did indeed Once again far beyond the soccer field they would succeed With equality in mind and a ball at their feet The ‘19 team put on a show of their own - and they sure weren’t discreet

Let’s start with the anthem: “controversy” number one Which is played before each World Cup game has begun The U.S. team featured all of its players standing Something the federation had recently been demanding Yet among them some singing - some not - and one former kneeler Each exercising their right to whichever felt realer All in support of each other’s decision None of it causing any in-team division

Then they took to the field bringing on “controversy” number two: Too much scoring! Too much celebrating! How dare you? (That was sarcasm just in case you couldn’t tell The proponents of this nonsense can go straight to hell)

A mixture of goals from a mixture of players Continuing to quiet their many naysayers Some with sheer fervor and others with mere action But all of it giving me great satisfaction As if the diversity within this team was just destined to be The best of the best varying in race, sexual orientation, and creed

One Nation, One Team, Oh Say Can You See? That’s exactly what America is to me We are not great when we conform to the ideals of others But when we embrace the differences of our sisters and brothers So when the big “test” in England came and it went I felt pretty strongly about what this all meant An inevitable fourth trophy but so much more The breaking down of barriers and opening of doors

You could feel it as the crowd chanted “EQUAL PAY” And as the confetti flew at the end of the final game You could see it as the players kissed their loved ones in the stands up above Some kissing men, some kissing women, but all with equal love

Then off to the locker room for “controversy” number three Bear with me because this one is a favorite you see The team began partying like it was 1999 (oh the irony) Posting celebratory video footage unapologetically They were dancing like rock stars and swearing like truckers With the swagger of 23 [insert Prince reference number two]

They just shattered world records, should they not celebrate? You are free to disagree, you are free to debate… But from my vantage point, this team just made America GREAT!

You can tune the team out or even wish them away You can continue trying to justify unequal pay But this team just started a movement that is here to stay And I am committed to contributing in my own little way By staying updated on players and watching more games And by buying more of the jerseys that adorn their last names:

Morgan, Rapinoe, Heath and Naeher This long list of heroes doesn’t end there Ertz, Lloyd,  Lavelle and Dunn O’Hara, Press, Long, Sauerbrunn Horan, Krieger, Harris and Pugh Dahlkemper, Mewis and Sonnett too Franch, McDonald, Brian and Davidson All led by Coach Ellis for such a historic win

Their holding of hands with the next generation So symbolic as they commence such important mediation I feel obligated to thank each and every last one For the inspiring evolution they have begun So daughters like mine can eventually carry the torch While I sip some Earl Grey (pinky up) on my American porch