A video showing the U.S. women’s national soccer team letting an American flag drop to the ground while celebrating their World Cup win has gone viral, sparking a backlash against the player who appeared to let the flag drop, and praise for the player who rushed to pick it up.
One player holding a flag dropped it in order to participate in a specific celebration with captain Megan Rapinoe and another teammate. Allie Long, the player, was holding the flag in both of her hands as Rapinoe got close to her and appeared to push the flag away.
Long transferred the flag to her left hand, then back to the right, before letting it drop to the ground.
Another player rushed to grab the flag off the ground as Rapinoe, Long, and a third player faced fans and celebrated.
That player was identified as Kelley O'Hara.
Some social media users praised O'Hara while criticizing Rapinoe and Long.
“Glad Kelley O’Hara knows the do’s and do not’s of the American flag and was around to grab it after it was casually dropped on the ground for a dance. Thank you for being alert,” wrote one user.
“Kelley, you’re the Hero we needed,” added another.
Among those criticizing letting the flag drop to the ground was Navy SEAL Jonathan Gilliam and John Tiegen, a U.S. Marine who survived the 2012 Benghazi attack.
“You should be disturbed by this unpatriotic narcissistic behavior. Megan Rapinoe is neither a hero or a role model. I rewound and watched the entire celebration on the field. Rapinoe didn’t want anything to do with an #Americanflag before she stomped it,” Gilliam wrote.
“What should be an amazing occurence, is hijacked by the clown show to promote disrespect. So brave,” added Tiegen.
“I know you gave a brief to the girls on proper flag etiquette. Allie Long, I know dragging it on the ground and throwing it down like it’s a piece of paper isn’t part of that. It’s not hard to hand it off and celebrate,” he added.
“Your coaching staff or trainers are there to take it. Damn Amazing disrespect for a photo op. Thank you to I think Kelley O'Hara for running in there and picking it up.”
