The Bizarre Life of Hope Solo Continues

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(November 14, 2012)-News leaked out of Seattle yesterday regarding Hope Solo the gold-medal winning goalkeeper for the U.S. Women's national team and an alleged altercation that occurred with her and Jerramy Stevens her fiancé. Stevens, a former NFL player was arrested early Monday morning on fourth-degree domestic assault charges after a domestic dispute was called into police. On arrival to the house where the call was made, over half a dozen intoxicated adults were found including Solo who initially was not cooperative with police. Stevens was charged with assault after a minor injury was discovered on Solo and blood was found on the clothing of Stevens. Charges were eventually dropped yesterday morning in court.

Stevens, 33 years old had a tumultuous football career overshadowed by accusations of sexual assault, felony battery and drunk driving. A first round pick out of Washington (same alma mater as Solo) was released in 2010 from Tampa Bay after violating the substance abuse policy and ending eight years in the NFL.

The story takes an even weirder twist. After filing for a marriage license last week, the couple of two months had been planning on exchanging vows yesterday. According to the police report their argument stemmed from their disagreement as to whether they should reside in Washington or Florida. However it appears that even a little domestic squabble can't keep these lovebirds apart as sources this morning are stating that the pair actually did get married last night as planned.

Solo is regarded as one of the best in her craft but stories like these leave soccer admirers quietly shaking our heads. I would never want to take lightly any form of domestic violence and in no circumstance should it ever be deemed as ok, but this story is just odd on so many levels. Assuming no physical harm actually took place one has to question why Solo has embarked on a life long commitment with someone that she has only been dating for two months. And while of course everyone in life deserves a second chance (or third or fourth) it might make more sense to prolong a wedding when you are marrying someone with such a lengthy police record who almost added to it on his own wedding day. 

Despite her amazing soccer abilities it seems that Solo seems to be drawn to rather dramatic situations. Her infamous falling out with then head coach Greg Ryan in 2007 when she was benched from the U.S. team after criticizing the play of fellow keeper Brianna Scurry following a semi-final loss to Brazil in the World Cup. It took several years and a new coach for Solo to win back the good graces of her teammates. This past summer she may have kept favor with her team but was engaged in an ugly twitter battle with former national team hero Brandi Chastain. Chastain a TV commentator for NBC during the Olympics was called out by Solo for her lack of updated soccer knowledge and negative views towards the team. It was terrible press for the team and Coach Pia Sundhage and a few veteran members had to step in to deal with Solo in the middle of their gold medal run. Solo was also notably kept from being handed a microphone for the rest of their time in London.

Flashback to the 2011 World Cup and despite the second place finish, Solo's pretty face was splashed across magazines and she was chosen to be on the widely viewed program Dancing With the Stars. Unfortunately she couldn't even make it through the season without ticking off not only her dance partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy (as well as making a strong accusation that he slapped and pushed her during rehearsals) but also the panel of judges.

Perhaps this behavior is better explained in Solo's book, which was published immediately following the Olympics. Solo: A Memoir of Hope chronicles her life and deals with many issues notably growing up with her father not in the picture and then his death. I have to admit I haven't read all of it and maybe if I did I would better be able to understand why Solo seems to continually make poor choices and why controversy seems to always follow her.

While this latest incident is really not for fans to pry too deeply into due to the personal nature, it remains just another bizarre event in a life that becomes harder and harder to fully understand. And maybe we won't fully comprehend Solo as a person but will just be able to appreciate her gifts in the goalie box. If that is the case I for one am hoping that life gets a little more mundane for Solo as a married woman and the next headline she makes involves a soccer match.

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