Megan Rapinoe & Sue Bird
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Deep Dive
Why did tearing the ACL in Sue Bird's freshman year turn out to be beneficial for her career?
It served as a wake-up call, making her realize the need to work harder and focus on her craft, ultimately putting her on a more disciplined and focused track.
How does Megan Rapinoe view the impact of her injuries on her career?
She sees injuries as part of the sport and a way to reset and adapt, teaching her to surrender control and focus on what she can control, which has been a valuable perspective throughout her career.
What is Sue Bird's opinion on the importance of storytelling in sports, particularly women's sports?
She believes storytelling is crucial for engaging fans and bringing more people into women's sports, as it provides context and history that make the sports more relatable and interesting.
Why does Sue Bird think men often feel emasculated when comparing themselves to women's basketball players?
Men who play basketball often feel they could compete with women's basketball players, leading to a sense of overconfidence and dismissal of the women's game, which they perceive as less valuable because they believe they could do it themselves.
How do Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe view the role of emotions in sports, particularly in women's sports?
They believe that women's sports have historically been judged by male standards that undervalue emotional expression and collaboration, but there is a growing recognition of the importance of emotional intelligence and different ways of leading in sports.
What does Megan Rapinoe identify as a key difference in the spectator experience between men's and women's sports?
Women's sports are often more inclusive and safe for diverse groups, including queer and black individuals, creating a more welcoming environment that emphasizes enjoyment and community over hyper-masculine aggression and exclusivity.
Why does Megan Rapinoe think there is a growing interest in women's sports?
She attributes the rise in interest to better storytelling and representation, which are drawing in casual fans who may not have been interested before, as well as the intrinsic appeal of watching athletes perform at their highest level.
How do Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe plan to approach their post-retirement careers?
They aim to leverage their expertise and experiences to tell stories in the sports world, particularly focusing on women's sports, to bring more attention and understanding to the narratives and history that have been underrepresented.
- They met at the Nike house during the Olympics.
- Both were playing for teams in Seattle and realized they should be friends.
- Sue was engaged at the time, and Megan was dating someone, complicating their initial friendship.
Shownotes Transcript