Political Draft: 25 Athletes Who Need To Run For Office

Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe is a midfielder/winger for the Seattle Reign soccer team. On the United States women’s national soccer team, she helped bring home medals at the 2011 and 2015 Women’s World Cup and the 2012 Olympics. She also played for the Chicago Red Stars, Philadelphia Independence and France’s Olympique Lyonnais.

Rapinoe attended the University of Portland, graduating with a major in Sociology and a minor in Political Science. Rapinoe is an an LGBT rights advocate who has worked with GLSEN, Athlete Ally, and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. She’s also a staunch advocate for gender equality, which she recently addressed on her website:

"There is no reason to deny women their rights on any level, they too are a part of society and as such should be treated as equals. They have the right to decide whether or not they will bear children, have an education, purchase a property, vote, etc. Discrimination of any sort based off of gender is backward and cowardly thinking and is strictly prohibited."

While she isn’t playing professionally or being an advocate, Rapino runs Rapinoe SC with her twin sister. They hold performance training clinics for people of all identities and ages all over America. Their goal is “Being Your Best You.”

That’s my goal for America, too. When you retire from professional soccer, please run for office!