On Thursday, American soccer star Megan Rapinoe was among 17 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to meet with President Joe Biden and the White House. She made sure to bring her support of Brittney Griner with her.
Rapinoe, who has been a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team since 2006, was part of teams that won Olympic medals and two World Cup championships. Meanwhile, she has become a champion of LGBTQ equality and equality in women’s sports.
Don’t mind us, just something in our eye… 🥲😭😭😭
So proud of you, @mPinoe 🎖
🎥 » @cspan
pic.twitter.com/cTcY18Ngvo— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 7, 2022
The soccer legend wore a white suit to the White House for the honor, and there was a special shoutout to Griner, who is on trial in Russia at the moment and is awaiting word of any potential way to return home to the United States. The WNBA star’s initials were stitched into the suit along with a flower to help draw attention.
Rapinoe shared a close-up photo of the initials on social media, saying “The most important part of today.”
Megan Rapinoe will be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House today.
BG’s initials are embroidered on her blazer for the world to see 💜 pic.twitter.com/jpy998cXy1
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 7, 2022
There’s no doubt that the 37-year-old soccer icon wanted to make sure President Biden saw the initials. Many people have been calling on him to get Griner home as soon as possible and he has said it is a top priority to get the WNBA star back to the United States as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Biden paid tribute to Rapinoe on Thursday as part of the ceremony.
“Beyond the World Cup title to Olympic medals, Megan is a champion for essential American truth that everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect,” Biden said at the award ceremony. “She helped lead the change for perhaps the most important victory for anyone on our soccer team or any soccer team: equal pay for women.”
