This Retirement Shoots and Scores With a Big Message

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This Retirement Shoots and Scores With a Big Message

What's going on: When a professional athlete retires, there’s typically a celebration — tears, cheers, and the jersey gets hung up for good. But not this jersey. Over the weekend, 37-year-old Italian soccer defender Alia Guagni played her last game with FC Como Women, wearing her resume on the front of her jersey. Her accomplishments? She served as Como captain, helped lead Italy to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-finals, and she was named Italy’s Player of the Year twice. Guagni, who’s leaving the sport to focus on becoming a mother, didn’t wear this jersey to gloat (though, she’s earned the bragging rights). Instead, she did it to highlight a challenge many female athletes face: finding meaningful work after retiring from sports. “After a career on the pitch, we (female) footballers are forced to stop and face a void,” Guagni said. “We don’t have clear pathways into professional life, and we can’t stop working.”

Our take: Yes, women in sports have made major strides, but they still deal with pay gaps, get less media coverage, and have fewer post-retirement opportunities. While male athletes are more likely to easily transition to commentary gigs or bounce from team to team (regardless of their qualifications or the drama they bring), women often don’t get that shot. Guagni’s jersey put that message front and center — and FC Como Women is backing it up, pledging to only work with sponsors that commit to hiring players after their careers end. “This long-term commitment ensures that athletes are not left behind,” the club said. Sounds like something other teams could add to their playbook.

Related: Fans Rally Around Angel City FC’s Savy King Following On-Field Collapse (NBC)

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Caroline Hendershot

Reporter for NY Jets and co-host of Well Played

The Press Box

Allison Kuch, host of Sunday Sports Club, sat down with Well Played co-hosts Blake Morgan and Caroline Hendershot.

Q: You don’t only talk about sports on your show but about real things that affect women. Why’s it important for you to highlight both? 

A: I feel like there’s so much more to the story than just, “My husband plays football, I look pretty, and everything’s great.” No, let’s talk about postpartum depression, how your husband is playing in a Sunday game when you gave birth on Saturday, and get down to the nitty gritty.

Q: You have shared that you don’t like the term WAG. Why not?

A: I’m not just somebody’s wife — I am my own independent person. Now, I did profit off of being an NFL wife — I definitely exploited my husband. But I feel like the term WAG is “Oh, you don’t have any hobbies. You don’t have a job.” I’ve always had a full-blown career.

Q: Now that your husband [Isaac Rochell] is retired, which NFL team do the two of you root for?

A: The Los Angeles Chargers. But I always have a special place in my heart for the Detroit Lions, because I was born and raised a Lions fan.

Q: What is your favorite game day wine and food pairing?

A: Hot dog and Barefoot wine.

Watch the full interview here.

This interview was edited for clarity.

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