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- Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird are engaged.
- The USWNT star striker proposed to Bird, a four-time WNBA champion and one of the greatest players in the league’s history, while on a trip to Antigua with some of their closest friends.
- Rapinoe and Bird began dating in the fall of 2016 and, since then, have become one of the most famous power couples in professional sports.
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One of the most famous power couples in professional sports is engaged to be married.
US Women’s National Team co-captain Megan Rapinoe proposed to her longtime girlfriend, WNBA legend and four-time league champion Sue Bird, while on a vacation in Antigua. Bird turned 40 on October 16 — less than a week removed from winning another WNBA title with the Seattle Storm — so Rapinoe organized a surprise trip to the Caribbean island with some of their closest friends.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The pink-haired superstar and reigning Ballon d’Or winner popped the question during their getaway, and Bird posted a photo of the magical moment on Instagram Friday evening.
"The one cool thing that I did post championship, because it was my birthday coming up shortly after, Megan got seven of our friends — there was nine of us — set up everything, totally surprised me, and it was this huge trip," Bird said on the "About Last Night Podcast" with comedian Adam Ray. "There's three of us — two other of my really close friends from childhood — were all turning 40. So it was basically like this 40 birthday bash and we went to Antigua, which was amazing. Beyond amazing. So amazing."
Rapinoe and Bird met during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and since the soccer star plays for OL Reign — the NWSL's franchise based in Seattle — the duo made plans for when they returned to The Emerald City. They began dating later that fall and, since Bird came out publicly the next year, have become one of the most famous power couples in professional sports.
Bird was on hand to celebrate after her girlfriend led the USWNT to victory in France at the 2019 FIFA World Cup and, before the semifinal match, famously wrote a tribute to Rapinoe's bravery for The Players' Tribune titled "So the President F*cking Hates My Girlfriend."
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In 2020, Rapinoe returned the favor, joining Bird in the WNBA's bubble at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, to watch the point guard lead the Storm to another championship. The striker — who wrote an article for The Players' Tribune of her own — could be seen sitting courtside during nearly every one of Seattle's games, and she celebrated alongside Bird after her team secured the trophy.
AP Photo/Chris O'Meara
When the duo will tie the knot still remains to be seen, but the wedding is sure to be a star-studded affair.
- Read more:
- Megan Rapinoe was like every other proud girlfriend while celebrating Sue Bird's fourth WNBA title with the Seattle Storm
- Sue Bird said her legacy is 'already written' and described her last 2 WNBA championships as bonuses because she's playing 'on borrowed time'
- Sue Bird said the judge who dismissed the USWNT's equal pay lawsuit has 'bulls---' opinions
- Megan Rapinoe said Vladimir Putin 'seems pretty gay' and is 'basically a drag queen' in a booze-fueled, 4-hour Instagram Live with Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Penny Taylor