Published 10/22/2022, 1:00 PM EDT
Alex Morgan is one of the most competitive faces on the soccer field. Being in the sport professionally for over a decade now, the USWNT star player is well-versed in the game. Having had to face the pressure for all these years, back in 2020, the soccer star had a special message.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Her opinion was direct when asked to share her advice for the young generation. She clearly said, “You don’t have to let sports dictate your life in order to excel.” Though sports earned her name and fame, what prompted her to share such unexpected advice? Let’s find out.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Alex did not want the kids to play under pressure
Alex was just fourteen years old when she started her professional journey by joining a club. Though many may consider it to be late age to start the sport, Alex had her own pace. Having had to suffer through the pressure to perform from such a young age, she expressed that heavy involvement in sports can take a toll on children’s well-being.
LYON, FRANCE – JUNE 30: Alex Morgan attends a USA press conference during the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 on June 30, 2019, in Lyon, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
She added, “I think the pressures to compete so many days a week and on the weekends in so many different states is completely unnecessary and really wasteful, financially as well.” Thus, she believed that the change was necessary. She quoted, “I think the whole structure needs to change.”
Speaking with ‘Health’ in 2020, she further added, “Sports are really restricting kids [so they can’t] play multiple sports,” Morgan, who collaborated with GoGo squeeZ, a business that creates food items for kids, was troubled by the fact that youngsters are frequently encouraged to concentrate on only one sport and stick with it to become stars.
Alex Morgan talked about the impact of sports on the younger generation
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Though sports have numerous benefits of their own. But if the opportunities are not correctly used, then they can do more harm than good. And being an athlete herself, she is well aware of the negatives and hence, wants to raise more awareness.
LYON, FRANCE – JULY 07: Alex Morgan of the USA looks on before the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Final match between The United States of America and The Netherlands at Stade de Lyon on July 07, 2019, in Lyon, France. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
She wants sports to be the medium for expression and not subjugation. She does not agree with the mental pressure that professional has to offer. Alex thus wants kids to explore and not just restrict to one sport. In the said interview, she also shared her advice for parents and coaches.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: Suni Lee, Mikaela Shiffrin, Lindsey Vonn, Chloe Kim, Megan Rapinoe, Allyson Felix, And Other Olympians Appears At ESPY’s 2022
Morgan wanted the parents and coaches to be aware of the stress the children can face while competing. Having had to face the pressure, the legend thus wants the younger generation to feel themselves more while they are on the field.