A new player on the U.S. women’s national soccer team (USWNT) apologized on Thursday after facing pressure from people on social media, including former USWNT player Megan Rapinoe, for reposting a clip of a Christian man who spoke on his past experiences with same-sex attraction and transgenderism.
Korbin Albert, a 20-year-old midfielder who played for Notre Dame, sparked outrage after she shared a clip on her TikTok account that showed the Christian man, who previously thought he might be a woman, telling his church that he stopped taking hormone treatment after expressing his faith in Jesus Christ, The Daily Mail reported. After Albert shared the clip, Rapinoe — who is a lesbian and staunch LGBT advocate — posted what appeared to be a response to Albert on her Instagram story without naming the young soccer player.
“To the people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs’ I would just ask one question, are you making any time of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance of better, bringing the best out of anyone?” Rapinoe wrote. “… 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.”
Some of Albert’s teammates on the U.S. women’s soccer team shared Rapinoe’s post, including USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn, according to the Mail.
Albert — who now wears #15, Rapinoe’s old number, for USWNT — posted a statement on Thursday, apologizing for her “actions on social media” and promising “to do better.”
“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,” Albert wrote. “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.”
“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,” she added. “It’s an honor and a privilege to get to play this sport and on the world stage and I promise to do better.”
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Albert had also liked a post on Instagram that joked about God “working overtime” when Rapinoe injured her Achilles in her final game. After her injury, Rapinoe also joked about God, saying, “I’m not a religious person or anything and if there was a God, this is proof that there isn’t.”
Later addressing her comment, Rapinoe said, “Somebody needs to check on the Christians. They’re not okay. They also missed the whole joke, but okay.”
