The Guardian Footballer of the Year Jess Carter: 'I remember not wanting to go out'

The article features an interview with Jess Carter, the English women's national team defender who played in the 2025 European Championship final against Spain. The article highlights her experiences of racism and discrimination on and off the pitch during the tournament.

Carter spoke about how she felt "like a massive weight was lifted off my shoulders" after sharing her experiences of racism with her teammates. She also talked about how she had to channel her emotions into the game, saying that winning was not about personal celebration but rather about relief for the team and their fans.

The article also touches on Carter's thoughts on the scrutiny faced by players of color in high-pressure situations, such as penalty shootouts. She explained that this added pressure can be overwhelming and that she felt "filtered out" trying to focus solely on scoring a goal.

Carter has joined Gotham FC, a team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), after leaving Chelsea last year. While she was initially welcomed with open arms by her new teammates, she experienced some backlash when she spoke publicly about her experiences of racism during the tournament.

Overall, the article presents a nuanced and thought-provoking look at Carter's experiences as a black female athlete in a predominantly white sport. Her insights offer valuable perspectives on the challenges faced by players of color and highlight the importance of creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for athletes from diverse backgrounds.
 
just watched this interview with Jess Carter and it got me thinking... racism is everywhere, even in sports 🀯 i mean, we're supposed to be about fair play and teamwork but when you're a black player, every little thing can be taken the wrong way. she said something so true - winning isn't just about scoring goals, it's about lifting that massive weight off your shoulders when you've been marginalized for so long πŸ†πŸ‘ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/57145795
 
πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ Did you know that 78% of WNBA teams have minority ownership πŸ“Š? Anyway, I think Jess Carter's story is super relevant - like, she's not just fighting for herself, but also for all the women of color who are expected to be more emotional and empathetic on the pitch 😩. And can we talk about how she was 'filtered out' in that penalty shootout? 🀯 72% of female athletes report experiencing some form of sexism or racism πŸ“ŠπŸ‘. We need more stories like Jess Carter's to bring about change! πŸ’–
 
I'm literally so exhausted thinking about Jess Carter going through that 🀯 Racism is still a major issue in sports, it's crazy to think she had to feel like she was being "filtered out" on the pitch just 'cause of her skin color 😩 And I get why her teammates welcomed her with open arms at first, but when she spoke up about what happened, some people got all defensive? Like, we need more players speaking out against racism, not less 🀝 Gotham FC needs to create a safe space for her and other athletes who might be going through similar struggles πŸ’ͺ
 
.. it's crazy how much pressure these women have to deal with, you know? It's not just about playing the game, they're representing their countries too... 🀯 I mean, Jess Carter's story is really inspiring, but at the same time, it's heartbreaking that she had to go through all that. The scrutiny around penalty shootouts is insane - one wrong move and it's like the whole world's watching... 😩 And what really gets me is how some people react when these players speak out about racism. Like, don't they want us to feel more comfortable and safe on the pitch? 🀝 It's not just about Jess or any other player, it's about creating a culture where everyone feels included.
 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around how intense the racism was during that European Championship final... I mean, we're in 2025 and you'd think things would've changed but apparently not πŸ€•. Jess Carter's story is really eye-opening - I love how she spoke up about her experiences and now everyone's talking about it πŸ‘. It's crazy to think that just because someone's color or background is different, they're still held to a higher standard on the pitch... like, can't we just focus on the game already? πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ I'm glad Gotham FC is supporting her, but at the same time, it's sad that she had to go through all that drama in the first place πŸ˜”. We need more conversations about this kind of thing so we can actually start making a difference πŸ’¬.
 
I was just reading about that new VR game that lets you explore abandoned theme parks 🎠πŸ’₯, it's so cool! I mean, can you imagine experiencing all that thrill without actually getting scared? πŸ˜… Anyway, back to the article... it's crazy how much pressure these players are under, especially with racism being a thing. I feel like we're making progress, but at the same time, it's still super frustrating when people don't get it πŸ€”. I mean, can't we just appreciate the game for what it is and not make it about personal stuff? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ But hey, I guess that's why they have therapy sessions on TV now πŸ“Ί... or do they? πŸ˜‚
 
Man I'm so proud of Jess Carter for speaking up about what she went through πŸ™Œ! It's crazy how one conversation can change the whole dynamic of a team, especially when it comes to racism πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ. I think it's amazing that she was able to share her experiences with her teammates and it literally lifted a weight off their shoulders πŸ’ͺ. And you know what's even more impressive? She didn't let the pressure get to her on the pitch πŸ˜…. I'm loving how open and honest she is about the scrutiny players of color face in high-pressure situations, it's so important for us to listen to their stories πŸ—£οΈ. Now that she's joined Gotham FC, I hope they continue to support her and create a safe space for all players to thrive 🌈. Can't wait to see what the future holds for this talented athlete πŸ’•!
 
I don’t usually comment but I'm really frustrated that this is still happening in 2025 🀯. Jess Carter's story highlights how even with some teams being more accepting, there's still so much work to be done to create a truly inclusive environment. It's crazy that just because she spoke out about her experiences, she was met with backlash from some teammates. I think it says a lot about the culture of sports and the pressure that comes with being a high-profile player πŸ†. As a fan, it's disheartening to see athletes having to deal with this kind of scrutiny, especially when they're just trying to play their best game. We need more conversations like Jess's to raise awareness and promote positive change πŸ’¬.
 
I feel so sorry to hear Jess Carter went through that πŸ€•... like, I can only imagine how tough it must be to deal with racism & discrimination on & off the pitch, especially when you're trying to focus on your game πŸ’ͺ. And yeah, it's not just about her experiences, but also about how players of color are scrutinized in high-pressure situations 🀯... like, doesn't she get enough pressure already playing for her country? 😩

It's interesting that she said winning was about relief for the team & fans, rather than personal celebration πŸ†... I think that's really important, because it's not just about individual achievement, but also about what's best for the team & everyone involved πŸ’•.

I love how Gotham FC welcomed her with open arms at first, though 😊... you'd think that would be a no-brainer, right? But then she spoke out about racism & some people reacted poorly πŸ€”... like, can't we just support each other without judgment? πŸ™…β€β™€οΈ

Anyway, I'm glad Jess is sharing her story & offering valuable perspectives on this stuff πŸ’¬... it's definitely given me a lot to think about πŸ’­
 
omg u no its soooo sad 2 hear about jess carters expereences wit racism & discrimination on n off the pitch πŸ€• she was so brave 2 share her story w/ her teammates & it sounds like it really made a diff 😌 i mean wen ur feelin like u r bein filtered out cuz of ur skin tone or whatever its not cool πŸ™…β€β™€οΈ but kudos 2 her 4 speakin out & helpin us understand whats goin on πŸ‘ its def time 4 change in sports, especially in the nwsl
 
🀝 watched this interview with Jess Carter and it was really eye-opening for me... feel like we're still having conversations about racism in sports that should've been resolved years ago 🏟️ can't help but think about how many players, especially women of color, go through similar experiences without being heard or believed πŸ‘‚ hope her story will inspire change πŸ’ͺ
 
I'm so grateful that Jess is finally speaking out about what she went through - it's crazy how some people still don't get why racism has nothing to do with sports, like, who cares if you're good or not? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ She's got every right to feel overwhelmed in high-pressure situations and I love that she said winning was never just about her, but the team & fans. πŸ† We need more players like her who are willing to use their platform for good πŸ’–
 
😩 Just watched this vid of Jess Carter talking about racism & discrimination on the pitch πŸ†πŸ‘Š her words are still giving me chills, it's wild that she had to share her experiences with her teammates just to feel supported πŸ’•πŸ”₯ Gotham FC is welcoming her with open arms now, but what about those who aren't? πŸ’― we gotta do better for athletes of color in sports... https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56244518
 
omg i'm so down with Jess Carter speaking out about racism on the pitch πŸ™ŒπŸ½ it's like, she's right we shouldn't have to deal with that kind of stuff in a sport supposed to be all about unity & sportsmanship πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ but at the same time i feel bad for her when some ppl from Gotham FC were mean to her after sharing her story πŸ˜” anyway, i think it's awesome she's speaking out & helping bring awareness to this issue πŸ’– nsl should really look into creating more diverse teams & environments for players of color 🌈
 
man, can't believe what's happening to Jess Carter, she spoke out about racism and now some ppl at her new team Gotham FC are treating her like dirt πŸ€•. like, I get it, not everyone wants to hear about this stuff, but come on, it's 2025 and we should be way past this already. and to make matters worse, she had to deal with all that pressure during the euro championship final and now she's just trying to play ball again πŸ€. idk how much more of this she can take, all these athletes are talking out against racism but it feels like they're still not getting the support they need πŸ’”.
 
I'm totally with Jess right now, you feel? The pressure to perform and be perfect is already high enough, but add racism and scrutiny into the mix and it's just overwhelming 😩. I mean, I've seen some of my fave celebrities speak out against racism and they get so much hate, can you even imagine being on a team and having to deal with that? 🀯 Gotham FC needs to be super supportive of Jess and all the other players who come from diverse backgrounds, 'cause it's not just about soccer, it's about mental health and well-being too. πŸ’–
 
🀯 I mean, can't even imagine how hard it must've been for Jess to share her experiences like that with her teammates. It's one thing to deal with racism on the pitch, but having to do it in front of your own team? That's just a whole other level of pressure. And yeah, penalty shootouts are always intense, but I can imagine how much more stressful it must've been knowing you're not just fighting for yourself, but also for your teammates and fans who are counting on you. It's not like she was trying to be dramatic or anything, she was just being real about what happened πŸ™.
 
omg u no how frustrating it is 2 b a pwnr o f cllr & still fac racist comments?? Jess Carter's story is like, soooo relatable rn I mean, who hasn't felt that "weight" on their sholders @ the end of a match lol but seriously, it's not just about her tho - its abt all us athletes o f color tryin 2 make it in a sport thats still super dominant by w8 ppl

i luv how Jess channeled her emotions inta th game tho that's like, total boss & i'm glad she spoke out @ Gotham FC tho some ppl dont understand why u gotta address racism but its time we got past all dat

anywayz, lets just say I'm so hyped 2 c mor athletes speakin up 4 themselves & 4 each othr 🀜🏽πŸ’ͺ
 
You know, it's crazy how one person can make such a big impact just by speaking out about their experiences... like, I'm thinking about Jess Carter, she took this huge risk by sharing her story, and look where it got her - people listening. It makes me think about the whole idea of identity and belonging, especially for athletes who are already under a microscope. I mean, we're talking high-pressure situations, penalty shootouts... that's when you really find out what kind of person you are when the stakes are high πŸ€”πŸ’ͺ
 
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