Abby Wambach was arrested for DUI in Portland a few days ago. In documents filed with the court following the arrest, Wambach admitted to experimenting with cocaine and marijuana.
According to the documents, she experimented with both substances between the ages of 24 and 25, while she was a member of the USWNT. The revelation in and of itself isn’t groundbreaking. Millions of people experiment with drugs throughout the course of their lives. What is interesting to note is it occurred during the time she was a member of the national team.
Ultimately, this entire incident needs to be viewed in proper context. Abby was a tremendous player for the U.S. and should be remembered that way. But, the DUI and subsequent drug use admission only prove that Abby is human and fallible, just like the rest of us. And, just like every other professional athlete or entertainer that the mainstream tends to moralize for making errors in judgement. The ability to shoot the perfect jumper, make a leaping catch while triple teamed, score a goal with a header doesn’t mean your immune from mistakes.