A Difficult Personal Revelation
Legendary soccer player Megan Rapinoe has publicly discussed the passing of her older brother, Michael, for the first time. During a recent episode of her podcast, A Touch More, the 40-year-old athlete shared with guest Abby Wambach that she returned home last year following his death, noting that he had endured a protracted struggle with alcoholism.
Reflecting on Loss and Addiction
During their conversation, Wambach noted that both athletes have faced the grief of losing siblings to difficult circumstances. Rapinoe, who concluded her storied career with the U.S. Women’s National Team and Seattle Reign FC in 2023, reflected on the nature of addiction, stating:
«I see the obsession and compulsion and addiction in myself and him too.»
This is not the first time Rapinoe has been open about her family's experiences with substance abuse. In her memoir, One Life, she detailed the long-term emotional impact of having a relative struggle with drug addiction, specifically referencing her brother Brian’s history with the prison system and his eventual path to sobriety, writing, «This is the truth about having a drug user in the family: the feeling of devastation never goes away.»
The Professional Cost of an Athletic Career
The dialogue between Rapinoe and Wambach also touched upon the personal sacrifices inherent in high-level professional sports. Wambach, who competed for the U.S. national team from 2003 to 2015, acknowledged that her career caused her to miss significant life milestones.
«I do think it cost me relationships... I had to miss one of my brother’s weddings, which feels like one of the bigger regrets because of soccer. It cost me time, development,» Wambach explained, though she maintained that the overall experience provided more personal growth than it took away.
Recent Life Changes
This disclosure comes shortly after a period of major transition for Rapinoe. In April, she and her partner of a decade, former cohost Sue Bird, announced their separation. In a joint statement released via social media, the couple described the decision as one made with significant care, stating, «We’ve built a whole life over the last decade, through big moments and in quiet ones, and that is something we’ll always carry with us.»