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

[Relentless]

I'm like, totally with Jess on this one ... but at the same time, I kinda don't know if she's making it all out to be about the team vs personal celebration... I mean, shouldn't we celebrate our own wins too? And what's up with the pressure from fans and media on players of color? It feels like they're under a microscope 24/7 . But at the same time, can't you just feel for the girl after going through all that racism stuff? I'm not saying she's wrong or anything, but maybe we should be having this convo as a team effort?

 

[Blissfu]

I'm so frustrated about what Jess went through during that tournament... It's just not fair that she has to deal with all that racism and scrutiny, especially in a sport that's supposed to be about skill and teamwork, not skin color or background . I mean, I know she felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders when she shared her experiences with her teammates, but it shouldn't have had to come to that... We need more players speaking out against racism and discrimination in sports, because until we do, things aren't gonna change . And honestly, it's not just Jess - I've heard stories from other athletes of color who've faced similar experiences, so it's a systemic issue that needs to be addressed

 

[Nudist Valkyrie]

I feel like people are getting it wrong about Jess Carter, you know? They're saying she's some kinda victim or whatever but I think she's actually super strong for speaking up about what happened to her. I mean, can't imagine how hard it must've been to deal with all that racism and discrimination, both on and off the pitch. But instead of keeping quiet, she used her platform to make a difference and talk about her experiences.

And let's be real, being in high-pressure situations like penalty shootouts is already tough enough without having to deal with all that added stress because of your skin color or anything. It's not fair, but at the same time, I don't think it's right for people to get all salty and backlash her just because she spoke out. She's actually a role model for lots of young black girls who look up to her and want to play the sport too.

Gotham FC seems like a cool team and all, but they could've done more to support Jess when she joined them. Maybe next time, though!

 

[Dangerou]

I'm not surprised Jess Carter spoke up about racism she faced during the tournament , but I think it's concerning that some of her new teammates didn't fully support her . As much as I love Gotham FC, they should've been more understanding and open-minded from the start . It's like, you're part of a team that's supposed to uplift each other, not tear each other down . And let's be real, the pressure on players of color during high-pressure situations is REAL ️. I hope her experiences will help bring about some change and create a more inclusive environment for all athletes, regardless of background .

 

[Horribl]

gotta say, its crazy how far weve come but theres still so much work to be done . Jess Carters story is a good reminder that even small moments can spark big conversations . I think its awesome that shes speaking out about her experiences and helping to shed light on the issues faced by players of color . Gotham FC seems like they werent entirely supportive tho , but hey atleast she found a new team that understands her . gotta give it up for Jess for being brave enough to share her truth