It came to my attention awhile ago that Megan Rapinoe would refuse an invitation to visit the White House. I wasn’t shocked or scandalized by the news because I had never heard of Megan Rapinoe until that moment. That’s because Rapinoe plays soccer which is right underneath ribbon twirling on the list of things that interest me.

Be honest. You feel the same way. You didn’t even know there was a World Cup until Rapinoe made headlines for her amazing skill in the art of petulant narcissism. You don’t follow women’s soccer. Nobody does. That is intentional. The rules are designed to keep the scores low and the action repetitive so that only the most determined people can muster any enthusiasm. Soccer only wants fans who love monotony. Soccer is the chess of the sports world.

So I wasn’t paying attention to the US Women’s Soccer Team until Rapinoe exploded into the public consciousness.

“I feel like I’m a walking protest. I feel like it’s kind of defiance in and of itself to just be who I am and wear the jersey, and represent it. Because I’m as talented as I am, I get to be here, you don’t get to tell me if I can be here or not.”

Megan Rapinoe

Sometimes people refer to “talent” as “giftedness” because it’s a more accurate, and humble, way of thinking. Nobody bestows themselves with talent. Nobody fashions themselves a strong body with quick reflexes, sharp eyesight, and savvy intuitions. All of those things are provided by God. It is the height of arrogance to take credit for talent. But mere arrogance can be achieved by anyone. Rapinoe is a world-class athlete whose ego propels her to levels of conceit unimagined by other humans.

Rapinoe feels it is correct to “protest”. She feels “defiance” is justified. Wearing the United State’s uniform during an international sporting event, she kneels during the National Anthem.

“So it’s kind of a good ‘F you’ to any sort of inequality or bad sentiments that the [Trump] administration might have towards people who don’t look exactly like him. Which, God help us if we all looked like him. Scary. Really scary. Ahh, disturbing.”

I asked myself, “What would you do if one of your kids talked like Megan Rapinoe?”

Myself replied, “I’m glad you asked. I would remove them from the field. At the very least your kid should understand that being on a team means putting yourself second.”

Then I said to myself, “Ha ha ha ha! You’re so naive! That’s not gonna happen to a star player on a national team!”

To which I replied, “You asked the question! It’s rude to laugh at my answer!”

I understood the point myself had made and that’s when I remembered – it’s just soccer. Only die hard fans of boredom are paying this melodrama any attention. I have no intention of watching any World Cup games but not because I’m protesting. Not because I’m in defiance. But because soccer. Soccer is the only reason I need to not watch soccer.

However…as I occupy myself with more engaging activities (like watching chess) I will hope the US Women’s Soccer Team loses. They do not need to be celebrated. They need to be humbled. Character is more important than any title. Defeat is a small price to pay for the opportunity to learn that important lesson.