Rookie phenom C.J. Stroud enjoyed one of his best NFL games in the Houston Texans’ win Sunday.
USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe suffered a devastating end to her soccer career Saturday.
How the two stars reacted to their respective fates left sports fans debating on social media.
Stroud passed for 356 yards and a touchdown to key a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. In the process, the MVP buzz around the quarterback grew that much louder.
A day earlier, Rapinoe went down on the field in pain just six minutes into the National Women’s Soccer League final. She later said she suspected she had torn her Achilles tendon. It was a disappointing end to the 38-year-old star’s final soccer match before her retirement.
After her OL Reign lost the championship match to NJ/NY Gotham FC, Rapinoe lamented her fate.
“I’m not a religious person or anything and if there was a God, like, this is proof that there isn’t,” Rapinoe said, in what she intended as a joke. “This is ****** up. It’s just ****** up. Six minutes in and I eat my Achilles.”
Rapinoe’s comments drew sharply divided responses from sports fans. Believers were appalled, non-believers found the comment funny and appropriate.
No one knows if Stroud heard about Rapinoe’s remarks before his game. He’s shared his faith before and did so again in his post-game media conference Sunday.
“I don’t deserve His grace and His mercy, but He still gives it to me and I love Him for that,” Stroud said. “It’s not about me, it’s about Him and His glory. So that’s where it comes from, God made me like that.”
There could not be a sharper contrast between the two athletes’ statements. It’s the difference between night and day, light and dark, and, as believers would say, heaven and hell.
No one has proven, nor disproven, the existence of God, and that argument dating back thousands of years didn’t resolve itself on X/Twitter in the past two days. But the contrast between Stroud’s faith and Rapinoe’s comment definitely sparked some great debate.
Your message does not mirror Christ’s love. He loves her the same as he loves CJ. So you’re called to do the same.
— Molly McManimie (@MolllyMack) November 13, 2023
The idea that ontological reality revolves around Megan Rapinoe is pure Megan Rapinoe. Like yeah, thousands are dying in Gaza, and more elsewhere, but sure, God's first priority would be making sure Megan Rapinoe's career has a fitting end. So if He didn't He must not be there.
— chernevik (@chernevik) November 13, 2023
Megan Rapinoe is saying there is no God. Because she could not finish her great career. She forgets to thank Him for her health, talents, and many other blessings. I feel sorry for her. Sad. Very sad
— Coach Campman (@tyllielyn) November 13, 2023
Megan Rapinoe is just as justified to not believe in a god, as you are to believe in one. Why such bitter hatred of those who are not god believers. They are fully entitled to not believe and in turn not be vilified for it.
— Grows things (@blueskys058) November 13, 2023
How do you not love this young man? What a humble servant leader who recognizes where his blessings come from…
Way to go CJ Stroud ~
— Alan P. (@Chaps_H2Heroes) November 13, 2023
It is so refreshing to hear an athlete of this young man’s statue humbly, sincerely and honestly giving God the glory and the praise He deserves 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿
— JG Houston (@jerhou) November 13, 2023
Megan Rapinoe says “this is proof there isn’t a god”
and in the next breath says “Thank God, I have a deep sense of humor.”
That just seems counter-intuitive right?
— Andrew Rysta – Home Loans (@AndrewRysta) November 13, 2023
“There is a god” is trending because he let Megan Rapinoe lead the US Women’s Soccer team for like a decade and win TWO, not just one, but TWO World Cups and then like a petulant child ended her career 84 minutes early and she called him out for it
Yea, totally makes sense,right?— Ravavyr (@ravavyr) November 13, 2023
