Abby Wambach

“Stop playing like a girl.”

Five words that can quickly bring down someone’s motivation and self-esteem. Over the years, this stereotype has been used as an insult for both boys and girls. It’s a simple way of telling someone they aren’t good enough. Over time, women have done their best to break this harmful stereotypes. Luckily, there are a growing number of celebrities and role models speaking out for gender equality today. 

After Abby Wambach was pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants in Portland, Oregon on April 2, 2016, she took full responsibility for her actions.

In a recent interview, Wambach admitted to abusing alcohol and prescription drugs during her soccer career.

"Forget me," says Abby Wambach in her retirement-celebration commercial, brought to you by Gatorade. "Forget my number. Forget my name. Forget I ever existed."

At the time, I argued that that particular action on the part of the fans was impossible, and Wambach made it even more impossible this weekend when she got arrested for duii (driving under the influence of intoxicants) in Portland. 

Prior to her final game, Abby Wambach drummed up her best Donald Trump impersonation, including both his political xenophobia and TV-like firings. By now you know what she said. If not, listen to the podcast here.

Initial reactions criticised Wambach almost for taking any sort of position on the matter rather than the appropriateness of her comments. Wambach has never been a quiet leader. She notoriously drops the F-bomb to fire up her team.

Abby Wambach's last professional soccer game is tonight. After today, Wednesday, December 16, 2015, we will never see Abby Wambach play in a soccer match that matters, barring something drastic.

She will retire the all-time leading scorer in international soccer (both men's and women's) history, with at least 184 international goals to her name.