Sports for better or worse have made marginal strides in representation.
Marginalized groups of color, gender, and social upbringing.
In recent years, we’ve seen strides in other groups, such as self-identification. While it has not been embraced by the masses, the conversation in it itself is a step forward, despite recent shortcomings.
However, a group that has carved its own path for itself in sports is disabled. With the Paralympics becoming a constant fixture in this realm, it was only a matter of time before someone would break the glass ceiling.
Carson Pickett, a defender for the North Carolina Courage, made history this past Tuesday, becoming the 1st ever footballer with a limb difference to appear, let alone start for the USWNT in their 2-0 win over Colombia.
Pickett, the South Carolina native, was born without part of her left arm and hand.
The 28-year-old’s feat is not with luck or admiration, but skill, being selected 4th overall in the NWSL Draft by the Reign.
She has long been in the annals of the media, going viral in the 2019 season after an embrace with a young fan that had the same ailment.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and with her representation and her performance, it is something that children with similar struggles can hold onto for a long time. Especially when you’re good.
Speaking to ESPN about the defender, U.S. Coach Vlatko Andonovski told ESPN:
“Carson did very well in training for us last week and with the management of minutes for Emily Fox that we had.
We felt like Carson would be a good replacement, and I’m happy that she was able to perform well for 90 minutes.”
It is a story all can root for, for a group that is praised at the moment, but still is very much misrepresented.
Telling from the dominance of Team USA heading into their upcoming match vs Haiti in the Concacaf W Championship tournament, there’s a chance of many more fans learning the story about the American star, one that can inspire a generation.
