Soccer Fans Everywhere Rally Around A Heartbroken Laura Bassett

[news]

[news]

Heartbreak overwhelmed the English women’s national team Wednesday after the team lost 2-1 to Japan in the semifinal of the Women’s World Cup. But it particularly overwhelmed Laura Bassett, the English defender responsible for the own goal that cost her team a trip to the finals.

It was the first own goal to ever occur during injury time in the Women’s World Cup, according to SportsCenter, and Bassett was understandably inconsolable.


England's Jo Potter (L) consoles teammate Bassett after she scored an own goal in the last minutes of the game. (Credit: Getty Images)

But something sort of nice happened after the game ended. Rather than coming at Bassett with spite and hate, with ugliness and insults, with mockery and derision, soccer players and soccer fans alike came at Bassett with something else: kindness.

“Laura should be remembered as an absolute hero,” Mark Sampson, the team’s head coach, said after the game. “People will remember the Laura Bassett who headed, blocked and tackled.” By the look of things, they actually will.

Have always been immensely proud of my sister. What I saw today only increases that. Love you our kid. #ProudOfBassett
— Coach Dan Bassett (@SFAcoachbass) July 2, 2015

Gutted for Laura Bassett and all the England women's team but they should hold their head up high.It's been a tremendous effort #Lionesses
— John Bishop (@JohnBishop100) July 2, 2015

Dear @laurabassett6 You've been amazing. UR fight&determination are your true character.I know the pain of an own goal but it won't define U
— Brandi Chastain (@brandichastain) July 2, 2015

Absolutely gutted for #ENG...they deserved that game. @laurabassett6, hold ur head high. I hope the country finally embraces this team.
— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) July 2, 2015

Absolutely devastated for @laurabassett6 We all make mistakes and I hope she doesn't let this define her.
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) July 2, 2015

Heart goes out to @laurabassett6 tonight. Fight on, you had to make that lunge 10x out of 10! Chin up! #SimplyUnlucky
— Jeb Brovsky (@JebBrovsky) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 Hold your head up high girl. You have lead by example and been IMMENSE all tournament. We ? you.
— Kelly Smith (@kelly_smith10) July 2, 2015

What a dreadful way to lose! Poor, poor Laura Bassett.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 you have been immense. A true rock and put in performances you can be so proud of.#Holdyourheadup Your a true pro & we ? you
— Faye White (@faye_white) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 you played valiantly through the tournament. It's a beautiful game with some cruel moments.
— Leah Voit (@LeahV93) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 immense performance, you should be very proud. You had no choice but to play that ball. #TrueLioness
— Simon Monckton (@sihair299) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 Hold your head up high You have lead by example and been IMMENSE all tournament #ProudOfBassett and proud #Lionesses
— kellywilloughby (@kellymaire1985) July 2, 2015

I'm not an England supporter but I want to send some love to Laura Bassett ? @laurabassett6 #Lionesses #ProudOfBassett #WomensWorldCup
— Mack (@Kcam0011) July 2, 2015

Amazing journey, heartbreaking end! Seeing you cry had me in tears... We are all extremely #ProudOfBassett & the entire #Lionesses Squad ?
— Chido Makuyana (@ChidoMakuyana) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 Watched the game w/ my young son. We think u played wonderfully well & should keep ur head high!
— Ali (@RealADC) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 #proudofbassett you held off the holding champions to the very brink, that is something you should be so proud of.
— sierra (@tbhcalumh) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 hold your head high. the entire nation is proud of you the #Lionesses. #ProudOfBassett.
— Tamara James (@MsMinute) July 2, 2015

#FIFAWWC #ENGvJPN #ProudofBassett Hi from the U.S. Great effort. Be proud. No shame in that game. Congratulations to Japan.
— James (@InRecline) July 2, 2015

Still utterly devastated by the #Lionesses exit but couldn't be prouder of them. Didn't deserve that #ProudofBassett
— Emma O'Sullivan (@EmSulley) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 You've been absolutely fantastic for the whole tournament! You can hold you're head up high #hero #ProudOfBassett #Lionesses
— Owen Reed (@Owenr22) July 2, 2015

Any great defender would have done the exact same thing in @laurabassett6 situation. She is not at all to blame for the loss. #WWC2015
— Dave M. Kovalchick (@DaveKovalchick) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 --- LAURA "LEGEND" BASSETT!! You're amazing girl!!! #Lionesses proud of you!! ? ?
— ???#Lionesses #ENG (@AimzyLou) July 2, 2015

Possibly the cruelest own goal ever seen. Absolutely gutted for @england #Lionesses So undeserved. @laurabassett6 you're a hero, gave it all
— Ben Royston (@bbroyston) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 I am SO sorry. Heart broken for you. I wanted a USAvENG final. Hold your head up. All the best to you & the Lionesses.
— Christi Atherton (@ChristiAtherton) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 It will sting for awhile, but life is so much bigger than soccer and way bigger than a mistake. Prayers up for you.
— DèRontè Polite (@CoachDPolite) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 You and your team put on a courageous performance today and all tournament. Keep your chin up, tomorrow is a new day.
— Jersey Al - GBP (@JerseyAlGBP) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 No matter what, you are a credit to the nation. Be proud of your tournament and game.
— Lee David Catigen-Co (@ledavcatco) July 2, 2015

@laurabassett6 I am SO sorry. Heart broken for you. I wanted a USAvENG final. Hold your head up. All the best to you & the Lionesses.
— Christi Atherton (@ChristiAtherton) July 2, 2015

Condolences to @laurabassett6 for that tough break last night. I feel your pain. Let's get a beer next time I'm in England.
— Laura Bassett (@LEBassett) July 2, 2015

At least one columnist saw all this kindness as a form of sexism, noting that David Beckham was treated much worse years ago when he received a red card in the 1998 World Cup. Perhaps there’s something to the idea that we are more willing to treat male athletes harshly, to mock them for their mistakes. But I’d like to believe something else: that we’re learning to treat all athletes, men and women, with basic human decency. That Laura Bassett is an example not of how we treat women differently on the field, but of how we’re treating all athletes differently these days.

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