A player on the U.S. women’s national soccer team intentionally dropped the American flag on the ground during post-victory celebrations after the team’s big win against the Netherlands in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Midfielder Allie Long initially dragged the flag on the ground, and when she turned toward a camera to pose alongside Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, she dropped the flag at her feet for the photo op and can be seen stepping on it.
Watch the video below:
Unbeknownst to the three, Kelley O’Hara ran up from behind and quickly snatched the flag from the ground.
The moment prompted a social media firestorm as users called out Long for the disrespectful act during a moment of American celebration.
Benghazi hero John “TIG” Tiegen pointed out that the blunder happened despite the fact that players were briefed on proper flag etiquette.
“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. Your coaching staff or trainers are there to take it. Damn Amazing disrespect for a photo op,” he wrote, addressing Long, then adding a thank-you to O’Hara for picking up the flag.
Former Navy SEAL and FBI Agent Jonathan Gilliam tweeted, “You should be disturbed by this unpatriotic narcissistic behavior. @mPinoe 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. #repulsive”
You should be disturbed by this unpatriotic narcissistic behavior. @mPinoe 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. #repulsive pic.twitter.com/Kevbe7jJYt
— Jonathan T Gilliam (@JGilliam_SEAL) July 7, 2019
Former Green Beret Nate Boyer called O’Hara “the HERO of the World Cup!”
“For the record I doubt @ALLIE_LONG had bad intentions, just lacked some situational awareness in the moment… Kelley O’Hara RESCUES the American flag after teammate drops it during victory dance,” he added.
For real though, @kelleymohara
is the HERO of the World Cup! For the record I doubt @ALLIE_LONG had bad intentions, just lacked some situational awareness in the moment…
Kelley O’Hara RESCUES the American flag after teammate drops it during victory dance https://t.co/2t1DFRYIaY— Nate Boyer (@NateBoyer37) July 8, 2019
President Trump Donald congratulated the team via Twitter for their victory, saying, “Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all!”
Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 7, 2019
Less than two weeks ahead of the victory, Rapinoe was asked if she would visit the White House after a victory.
“I’m not going to the fu*king White House,” Rapinoe responded at the time, as reported by Fox News. “No fu*king way will we be invited to the White House. [Trump] tries to avoid inviting a team that might decline. Or, like he did when the [Golden State] Warriors turned him down, he’ll claim they hadn’t been invited in the first place.”
Rapinoe has previously described herself as a “walking protest” and has kneeled for the national anthem.
