'You Changed The Game' - As Megan Rapinoe's No. 15 Reign FC jersey is retired, her impact will forever be a part of Seattle

Seattle – There will never be another player to wear the No. 15 for the Seattle Reign.

On Sunday, the Reign FC retired the jersey of the legendary Megan Rapinoe. Amid a crowd blanketed in purple at Lumen Field, the pink-haired legend became the first in club history to have her jersey retired, and just the fourth player so honored in the history of the National Women’s Soccer League.

It was a culmination of a weekend celebrating Rapinoe, which included a season-ticket holder event on Saturday hosted by Google Pixel. It was at that event that the two-time World Cup champion recounted her illustrious career in Seattle with former teammates and Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey.

While her professional career spanned many teams, her NWSL career spanned just one team – the Reign.

From 2013 to 2023, Rapinoe was a constant for the club, with 121 appearances, and winning the NWSL Shield in 2014, 2015 and 2022. The Reign were also NWSL runners-up in three seasons, including in Rapinoe’s final campaign. She ended her career as the club’s all-time leading scorer in regular-season goals with 51.

An NWSL championship might be the only thing missing from Rapinoe’s illustrious career, which includes multiple World Cups, an Olympic gold medal and a Ballon d’Or Féminin. But, Sunday’s celebration wasn’t a reminder of that. Rather, it was a tribute to all that she did for the club, both on and off the field.

Rapinoe is a known activist, from helping the USWNT achieve equal pay to advocating for the inclusion of transgender women in sports, and she’s been at the forefront of a number of issues.

In 2022, she became the first soccer player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Last October, Harvey put it best ahead of Rapinoe’s final regular-season home game, applauding her not only for what she’s done on the field, but the impact that she’s had off of it. And there’s maybe nobody better than Harvey to speak on her impact. The two began their NWSL careers together in 2013 in the league’s inaugural season.

And while Harvey left the Reign for a number of seasons, she returned in 2021 and was alongside Rapinoe as she brought her soccer career to an end.

“Off the field stuff has been, it’s just hard to put into words how impactful it’s been,” Harvey said in October 2023. “From early days with the Reign, when we had nothing, we were always trying to fight for more. And I think we always knew that the most powerful voice in the room was 'Pinoe.'

"And she never shied away from that. She was always willing to put herself in front of all the bullets that everyone was willing to throw at her to try and better the club internally … And then obviously externally, what everyone sees, that became the global icon that she is. … It’s phenomenal to think where we started to where we are now in every aspect, and there’s no doubt we wouldn’t be here if not for her.”

Similarly, Rapinoe expressed the sentiment that she couldn’t imagine wearing any other NWSL team’s jersey. And now, no other player will wear her number for the Reign.

Sunday’s celebration was kicked off by an all-female sky-diving team that brought in “RISE” flags. Soon after, Rapinoe entered the field as only a queen would. Walking along the perimeter, high-fiving fans and giving hugs, she was able to surprise the invited girls at their seats. And tears were shed.

Soon after, Rapinoe made her way to center stage for the ceremony where she thanked the Reign for putting everything together.

“They put me on a time limit, which is probably best,” Rapinoe said. “First of all, thank you to everyone that is here today and to all who showed up to this very special day. To everybody at the Reign, and an expanded Reign family, thank you so much for putting this together.”

She was then presented with a framed jersey, which included the names of every player she took the pitch with during her career. There were also video tributes, with one including Michelle Akers, Julie Foudy, Emma Hayes, Ali Krieger, Colin Kaepernick, and more.

At one point, the stadium counted down from 15, with a giant flag being lifted to unveil a painted portrait of Rapinoe with her signature pink hair reading “You Changed The Game.”

For Rapinoe, the jersey retirement meant more than just being immortalized in the rafters.

“Just know that every time I look at that number I’m going to see you,” Rapinoe said. “I’m going to see every pride flag, every trans flag, and every Black Lives Matter flag. Every equal pay flag.

“I’ll see purple hair, pink hair, and a short stunt of blue hair … Just know that when you’re looking up and thinking about me, I’m thinking about all of you.”

Reign FC did Pinoe proud at home, as Emeri Adames, who entered the game in the 89th minute, scored the game winning goal in stoppage time for a 1-0 final. Adames has also referred to Pinoe as her "hero."