In May, U.S. Soccer announced that both their men’s and women’s national teams would be wearing jerseys with rainbow-colored numbers on them for the month of June. The campaign is in partnership with “You Can Play Project,” to support LGBTQ pride month.
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Upon hearing the decision, Jaelene Hinkle—who plays defense for the North Carolina Courage—withdrew herself from the U.S. roster, citing “personal reasons.”
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The 24-year-old was called into the national camp to play friendlies against Sweden and Norway this month, but removed herself from the matches following the U.S. Soccer announcement.
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Jaelene proudly displays her declaration of Christian faith on social media. Though it is unclear as to whether or not her faith is what determined her decision to withdraw, previous posts from the soccer player would suggest that to be the case.
Her Twitter proudly cites Colossians 3:23 in the bio tagline; “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
She also writes, “If you live for people’s acceptance, you’ll die from their rejection.”
Jaelene has not spoken exclusively about her beliefs in regards to the You Can Play partnership with U.S. Soccer. But in 2015, on the day the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, the soccer player took to Instagram.
Rather than throwing a fit about the events that had changed America forever that day, Jaelene SHOWED what Christianity looks like. She posted a photo of the gay-pride logo, converted into a cross.
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Then she shared her thoughts on the decision, writing:
“Jesus didn’t come to save those who already believed in Him. He came so that the lost, rejected and abandoned men and women would find Him and believe. I believe with every fiber in my body that what was written 2,000 years ago in the Bible is undoubtedly true. It’s not a fictional book. It’s not a pick and choose what you want to believe. You either believe it, or you don’t. This world may change, but Christ and His Word NEVER will.”
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She continued:
“My heart is that as Christians we don’t begin to throw a tantrum over what has been brought into law today, but we become that much more loving. That through our love, the lost, rejected and abandoned find Christ.”
Jaelene used the post to also declare that despite what the rainbow has come to represent in today’s society and its affiliation with the gay pride movement, it has always been and always will be a symbol of God’s promise to man.
“The rainbow was a covenant made between God and all his creation that never again would the world be flooded as it was when He destroyed the world during Noah’s time. It’s a constant reminder that no matter how corrupt this world becomes, He will never leave us or forsake us. Thank you Lord for your amazing grace, even during times of trial and confusion.
Love won over 2,000 years ago when the greatest sacrifice of all time was made for ALL mankind.”
Amen to that.
Jaelene’s faith is one that exemplifies what we are called to as Christians. In a time when raising commotion and becoming “offended” is the way of the world, it would have been easy for Jaelene to cause uproar over U.S. Soccer’s decision to sport rainbow-decorated jerseys.
Rather than making a loud and proud statement like refusing to stand for the National Anthem, or calling out the LGBTQ community for their beliefs, Jaelene is simply LIVING her faith.
