Current:Home > ScamsBenjamin Ashford|U.S. Olympian Naya Tapper had dreams of playing football but found calling in rugby -MoneyStream
Benjamin Ashford|U.S. Olympian Naya Tapper had dreams of playing football but found calling in rugby
Fastexy Exchange View
Date:2025-04-11 05:57:28
PARIS — United States women’s rugby player Naya Tapper was a high school All-American in track and Benjamin Ashfordfield but had football aspirations.
Tapper’s older brother, Mark LeGree, played football and was ultimately drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft. Tapper had hoped to follow his footsteps.
“I wanted to play football growing up because I watched my brother. He had an amazing career playing from little league all the way to the NFL. Watching him and also having the characteristics of being really aggressive and having a lot of energy the dream of football came about,” Tapper told USA TODAY Sports. “But as you get older you realize as a woman that’s not really an option right now. When I realized that and ended things with track and field, I found rugby and kind of blossomed from there.”
Tapper’s athletic career has blossomed wonderfully in rugby. She started playing the sport at 18 years old at University of North Carolina and hasn’t looked back. In 2016, she began playing professionally and turned into a mainstay.
Tapper made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo Olympics where the U.S. women’s team finished sixth. She is currently the U.S. women’s sevens all-time career leader in tries. In Paris, Tapper is Team USA’s rugby captain in what she plans to be her final Olympics.
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
“It feels amazing. I have to remind myself everyday that’s actually what the situation is right now because I could have never imagined coming to my second Olympics and being a captain,” Tapper said. “I appreciate my coach for raising me up for the characteristics I have rather than putting me down and putting me in this position to be a great representation for the young Black girls watching me.”
U.S. women’s rugby coach Emilie Bydwell said before the Olympics that Tapper has been a vital leader and top performer in the sport.
“Naya has solidified herself as one of the greats to play the game in this relatively new women’s professional era, combining power, pace and determination to help drive the team,” Bydwell said. “Beyond her on-field contributions Naya has served as a transformational leader and a key driver in the development of the culture that we have as a team.”
The 29-year-old helped the women’s club rout Japan 36-7 in the opening round and defeat Brazil 24-5 to start 2-0 in Pool C.
The U.S. women’s squad faces Olympic host country France on Monday before the quarterfinals begin. They have a chance to earn their first ever Olympic medal in rugby sevens, which would be a remarkable conclusion for the former track and field athlete, who wanted to play football but found her calling in rugby.
“That would end my career in the most beautiful way,” Tapper said. “If that happened, it would make it really hard to leave but it would mean so much to the sport and the organization in the U.S. where we are really trying to grow the sport and bring new fans and players."
veryGood! (52)
Related
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Suspect in deadly Michigan home invasion arrested in Louisiana, authorities say
- Kamala Harris, Donald Trump face off on 'Family Feud' in 'SNL' cold open
- Olympians Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Are Engaged
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Ruth Chepngetich smashes woman's world record at Chicago Marathon
- As 'Pulp Fiction' turns 30, we rank all Quentin Tarantino movies
- Starship launch: How to watch SpaceX test fly megarocket from Starbase in Texas
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Oregon's defeat of Ohio State headlines college football Week 7 winners and losers
Ranking
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Drake Celebrates Son Adonis' 7th Birthday With Sweet SpongeBob-Themed Photos
- Country singer Brantley Gilbert pauses show as wife gives birth on tour bus
- Europa Clipper prepared to launch to Jupiter moon to search for life: How to watch
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Aidan Hutchinson's gruesome injury casts dark cloud over Lions after major statement win
- Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh reveals heart condition prompted temporary exit vs. Broncos
- Why Sarah Turney Wanted Her Dad Charged With Murder After Sister Alissa Turney Disappeared
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Urban Outfitters Apologizes for High Prices and Lowers Costs on 100 Styles
How much is the 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz EV? A lot more than just any minivan
Jamie Foxx Shares Emotional Photos From His Return to the Stage After Health Scare
Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
Trump hears at a Latino campaign event from someone who lived in the US illegally
Bachelor Nation’s Jason Tartick and Kat Stickler Break Up After Brief Romance
‘The View’ abortion ad signals wider effort to use an FCC regulation to spread a message