U.S. Women’s Soccer Player Apologizes for Sharing Christian Content after Megan Rapinoe Calls Her Out

An American women’s soccer player recently apologized for sharing Christian content on social media after receiving criticism from Megan Rapinoe, who deemed the posts hateful to the LGBT community.

Korbin Albert, who previously attended the University of Notre Dame before playing professional soccer, got widespread attention for reposting a video showing a young man with an intellectual disability speaking during a church sermon about stopping his gender-transitioning process. The person talked about his struggles with homosexuality and “feeling transgender,” he said in the video, which resurfaced last week.

Albert also caught flak for other resurfaced posts: Over the 2023 Fourth of July weekend, Albert can be seen in a video with her family stating their “pronouns are U.S.A.” She also liked a meme that read: “God taking time off performing miracles to make sure Megan Rapinoe sprains her ankle in her final ever game.” The video and meme have reportedly been deleted since they were initially posted last year.

Rapinoe harshly criticized the 20-year-old soccer player on Thursday without explicitly naming Albert. (Rapinoe later told the Athletic, a sports-journalism website, that her comments were in direct response to Albert’s reposts.)

“For people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs’ I would just ask one question, are you making any type of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance of better, bringing the best out of anyone?” Rapinoe posted on her Instagram story.

The 38-year-old former soccer player then claimed transgender youth are committing suicide due to “hate,” which she alleged Albert was perpetuating.

“Because if you aren’t all you believe in is hate. And Kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake, TF up! Yours Truly, #15,” she added, referring to the number on her jersey before she retired last year. (Albert wears the same number for the U.S. women’s national team.)

“For all my trans homie[s] enduring this horrific treatment day in and day out I see you and hear you and I am WITH YOU.”

The two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner and social-justice activist received support from several of her former teammates, including Becky Sauerbrunn, Lynn Williams, Sam and Kristie Mewis, Ali Krieger, Alana Cook, Merritt Mathias, Abby Dahlkemper, and Meghan Klingenberg. All of these players either shared or interacted with Rapinoe’s story in some way to stand in solidarity with transgender youth.

In response to the backlash, Albert issued an apology for her social-media activity on Thursday following her Champions League match with club team Paris Saint-Germain.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media. Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive and hurtful was immature and disrespectful which was never my intent. I’m really disappointed in myself and am deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended,” she wrote on her Instagram story.

“I truly believe that everyone should feel safe and respected everywhere and on all playing fields. I know my actions have not lived up to that and for that I sincerely apologize. It’s an honor and a privilege to get to play this sport on the world stage and I promise to do better.”