Off the Pitch

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is probably America’s greatest badass. A lifelong fighter for women’s rights who joined the Supreme Court in 1993, she’s fought off cancer more times than you’ve fought off the urge to eat that last slice of pizza. 

At 86, she’s doing her best to stay in shape, despite being diagnosed with cancer three different times (colon, pancreatic, lung). RBG’s biweekly workouts are no joke, as Stephen Colbert found out last year. Honestly, she works out more than I do and probably 90 percent of politicians in DC. 

Hope Solo is getting a movie deal.

The former USWNT No. 1 goalkeeper, who helped the U.S. lift the 2015 Women’s World Cup trophy, will have her life story developed into a feature film, a news release announced on Tuesday.

"Hope Solo is a force of nature who broke down walls in women’s sports, both as a player and as a humanitarian,” writer/director Christine Crokos said in the release. “Her story is one of pure trailblazing and fierce athleticism — one that many generations to come will honor and look up to.”

Pelé is generally considered the greatest footballer of all time. The U.S. has been looking for its own version of Pelé ever since the Brazilian graced the NASL more than 40 years ago. 

It turns out, we’ve had our own Pelé all along, and he’s the most polarizing figure in the country.

Donald Trump has been given the nickname of Pelé by a select group of people who know more about his sporting abilities than perhaps anyone in the world.

Americans loves celebrities like apple pie and making fun of baseball. It’s why late night TV shows constantly barrage us with uninspired interviews of famous actors trying to get us to watch their new thing.

But occasionally, a late night show does something truly inspired. They bring on a soccer player, someone who can actually keep the viewers who aren’t in states where marijuana is legalized awake. 

In the past, championship rings haven’t really been a big deal in soccer. While Super Bowl and NBA champions flaunt flashy finger paraphernalia, soccer has traditionally been more about the team prizes such as the Jules Rimet Trophy and old Big Ears. But these France World Cup rings could change that.

France won the 2018 World Cup last summer and as a token of gratification, Manchester United star Paul Pogba bought all of his Les Bleus teammates championship rings. 

Those France World Cup rings have now been unveiled, and they are nothing short of gorgeous. 

Atlanta United players received their MLS Cup championship rings during a private ceremony on Thursday. It’s kind of a big deal, considering Atlanta hasn’t had a major sports championship to celebrate in more than 20 years. 

In addition to players like Josef Martinez and Darlington Nagbe, plus club president Darren Eales, Five Stripes First Fan Waka Flocka was on hand and was awarded his own championship ring, because he played a big role in … I dunno, bringing awareness to the team I guess?

Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris, teammates for the NWSL’s Orlando Pride, are engaged. 

Sending our love and congratulations to @alikrieger & @Ashlyn_Harris.  https://t.co/2uQN0nefs9

— FIFA Women's World Cup  (@FIFAWWC) March 13, 2019

Son Heung-min is one of the most popular footballers in the world. A superstar in Asia and beloved in Europe, the 26-year-old Tottenham forward is at the top of his game right now with 16 goals on the season.

Just don’t expect him to settle down and get married anytime soon.

What amounts to too much partying? What amounts to not enough privacy? Should professional athletes’ social lives be used against them? Do videos of Neymar partying prove he’s a horrible person who will never succeed at the highest levels without Lionel Messi as his running mate?