Real Salt Lake Faces Backlash for Not Recognizing JJ Watt’s Wife Kealia
Real Salt Lake, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team, recently found itself in a spot of trouble after they failed to recognize JJ Watt, a renowned NFL player, and his wife Kealia, a former professional soccer player, during a pre-game welcome.
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The incident occurred when Real Salt Lake tweeted a welcome message to the Watt family, but only mentioned JJ’s name. Kealia, who is a former player for the Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), felt overlooked despite her impressive soccer career.
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Kealia’s achievements include four Utah state championships in high school, a national title at North Carolina, and eight NWSL seasons. She now works as an analyst for Amazon Prime Video and, along with her husband, owns a minority stake in the English Football League Championship club Burnley.
Real Salt Lake’s oversight did not go unnoticed, and JJ Watt took to Twitter to express his disappointment. In a tweet, he mentioned that his wife’s accomplishments were ‘probably worth a mention.’
The social media post sparked a heated conversation, with many fans and sports enthusiasts criticizing Real Salt Lake for not recognizing Kealia’s achievements. The team’s apology, which came four hours later, acknowledged the ‘honest mistake’ and provided a detailed bio of Kealia’s soccer career.
The apology included a two-paragraph bio highlighting Kealia’s accomplishments in soccer, including her high school achievements, college title, and professional career. The team also acknowledged their mistake and expressed their appreciation for Kealia’s contributions to the sport.
Real Salt Lake’s apology was seen as a step in the right direction, but many fans felt that it was too little, too late. The incident highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women in sports, particularly in male-dominated leagues like the NFL and MLS.
As the conversation around this incident continues to unfold, it is clear that Real Salt Lake has learned a valuable lesson about the importance of inclusivity and recognition in sports.
In a related event, Real Salt Lake defeated Burnley, the club co-owned by the Watt family, 4-1 in an exhibition match.
The incident serves as a reminder that sports teams must prioritize inclusivity and recognition, not just for their fans but also for the athletes themselves.
Real Salt Lake’s apology and the subsequent conversation around this incident highlight the need for greater recognition and appreciation of women’s achievements in sports.
The team’s oversight may have been an honest mistake, but it has sparked a much-needed conversation about the importance of recognizing and celebrating women’s achievements in sports.
Kealia Watt’s Soccer Career Highlights:
- Four Utah state championships in high school
- National title at North Carolina
- Eight NWSL seasons between the Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars
Real Salt Lake’s Apology:
Real Salt Lake’s apology acknowledged the ‘honest mistake’ and provided a detailed bio of Kealia’s soccer career. The team expressed their appreciation for Kealia’s contributions to the sport and recognized the importance of inclusivity and recognition in sports.
