Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm
Mariel Margaret "Mia" Hamm-Garciaparrais a retired American professional association football player and two time olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women's World Cup winner. Hamm played many years as a forward for the United States women's national soccer team and was a founding member of the Washington Freedom. Hamm held the record for international goals, more than any other player, male or female, in the history of soccer, until 2013 when fellow American Abby Wambach scored her 159th goal to break...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionSoccer Player
Date of Birth17 March 1972
CitySelma, AL
CountryUnited States of America
I will not let my teammates down and I will not let myself down.
Goals have never defined me as a player. What has defined me is my impact on the team. If that means passing or playing defense to win, I'll do it.
You can't just beat a team, you have to leave a lasting impression in their minds so they never want to see you again.
I'm a part of a team, and I'm no better or any worse than any single player on this team. That's the approach I've always had and will continue to have. It's not about me. It has never been all about me. If it had, this would have been a really lonely journey.
I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.
I'm not someone who goes around the locker room before a game trying to motivate my teammates. I don't say a lot before the game. I don't say a lot in general. It takes too much energy to do that.
I play for the intense challenges that the game on the highest levels present. The whole team enjoys playng exciting soccer for the fans and my part in that makes me feel good about myself. The whole concept of teamwork is what keeps us all going. It's my role to create scoring chances, and to come through for my teammates is extremely satisfying.
Soccer isn't very social. Plus, if you don't like someone on the other team, you can do something about it.
The team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.
As a mother I think you often get so caught up in trying to take care of everyone else that you forget to take care of yourself. But I'm a much better wife and mother when I take the time to take care of myself.
I was this shy, introverted kid and through the game and through athletics I was able to gain a lot more confidence and express myself on the field. It is about enjoying themselves and that's what I could tell about all of these girls. They played hard, respected the game and just had fun doing it.
Many people say Im the best womens soccer player in the world. I dont think so. And because of that, someday I just might be.
To me, one of the reasons we were so successful was that we respected and cared about the game and felt the same way about each other, ... (Teammates) always understood there was a greater purpose. That the opportunity to play was extremely special, and let's try to make sure as many young girls have that opportunity.
I've enjoyed every minute of it and to be able to do it as long as I've had, I've had a lot of support from my family. The game has yet to see so much more growth.