1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:02,840 Speaker 1: Long Shot is a production of McClatchy Studios and I 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:08,399 Speaker 1: Heart Radio, previously on Payback. My son is sat in 3 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:11,000 Speaker 1: my training sessions as a baby, like a host roller 4 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:14,520 Speaker 1: by himself. Do you reach my Granmy? She's not available. 5 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: We've amented me fine, I will be like, go enjoy 6 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:26,120 Speaker 1: the game. He's gonna be okay, here Shot. I get 7 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: a text from Joel Elis right after the game. I 8 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:46,680 Speaker 1: might be going into camp. Okay, okay, I'm just gonna 9 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:52,960 Speaker 1: have him say your name. Okay, go ahead, Okay, Hello guys. 10 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:56,680 Speaker 1: My name is Jeremiah Stewart. And it's been really fun 11 00:00:56,720 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: hanging out with my mom. Over the past year. I've 12 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:04,319 Speaker 1: spent countless hours talking to Jess and her teammates and 13 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: coaches and friends and sports psychologists and others about her 14 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: journey and the challenges she's overcome as a single mom 15 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 1: and Jess a story contains so many different kinds of 16 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:19,639 Speaker 1: struggle and perseverance and growth. Sometimes we guilt to watch 17 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: movies together, but hers is not the only story unfolding. 18 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 1: You're in her home. I think my favorite might be 19 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 1: Iron Man. My other favorite is the Sonic movie You 20 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:36,319 Speaker 1: Can Like Go Faster than light speed. Jeremia's last name 21 00:01:36,319 --> 00:01:39,280 Speaker 1: is Stewart, like his father, but the boy Jess called 22 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:42,800 Speaker 1: string Being responded to her like no other. And she's 23 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:46,040 Speaker 1: as protective of Jeremiah as you might imagine. As far 24 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:48,400 Speaker 1: as I know, I'm the first reporter she's let interview 25 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: him about the busy life he's already led and the 26 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 1: challenges that he's overcome on this journey. You do it 27 00:01:54,040 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 1: so good. What did your mom tell you take care 28 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 1: of herself? Eat hydra um. Come give me a little 29 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:09,480 Speaker 1: credit something. Oh, you're teaching me to clean my lunch 30 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 1: fox every day from camp. Yes, indeed, cleaning very important. 31 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: And sure he's an energetic ten year old. So we 32 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:23,280 Speaker 1: talked a lot about karate and climbing trees and his 33 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: favorite movies. But in quieter moments, it seemed clear that 34 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:29,959 Speaker 1: among the things Jeremia has gotten from his mother is 35 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 1: an understated perspective about the roads we travel and a 36 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 1: search for stability in the midst of larger transitions. Well, yeah, 37 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 1: sometimes I want things like a little balanced instead of curved, 38 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:45,080 Speaker 1: because when it's curved, things are not worked out properly. 39 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 1: So when things are worked out, probably then everything would 40 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:54,519 Speaker 1: be fine. Back in late that elusive balance felt further 41 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 1: away than ever for Jeremiah and his mom. As Jessic's 42 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:01,080 Speaker 1: championship seas have reopened professional doors that she thought had 43 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:05,280 Speaker 1: been closed for good at home, that success would perhaps 44 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,959 Speaker 1: present the stiffest challenge yet. I went to say every 45 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:10,440 Speaker 1: camp with this chip on my shoulder because I was 46 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:12,919 Speaker 1: doing it for my kid, doing it for the sacrifice 47 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:14,800 Speaker 1: that I was making in that moment, and I had 48 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:17,839 Speaker 1: to take advantage of that. That's exactly what I did. 49 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 1: From the Charlotte Observer, Raleigh News, An Observer, McClatchy Studios, 50 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 1: and I Heart Radio. This is payback. I'm Alexandrea, and 51 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 1: this is party my other half in the fall, just 52 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 1: was at home near Raleigh, riding high off her second 53 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:48,000 Speaker 1: nd WUSL championship. Even US national team head coach Jill 54 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 1: Ellis had no disturbed performance. It was all tremendous. As 55 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: Ellison texted her, she was m v P. She scored 56 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 1: two of the three goals Dan Rockaway. I remember her 57 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 1: getting the tech and she was like wow. I got 58 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 1: a text in Joellis, I said, how is she have 59 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 1: your number? Well, I guess Joe has everybody's number, which 60 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 1: is amazing. Jess had reason to hope that maybe her 61 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: national team dreams weren't dead yet. Could she really make 62 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:14,760 Speaker 1: the US roster at thirty years old? And now I'd 63 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: like to present our two eighteen and USU Championship Most 64 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:26,160 Speaker 1: Valuable Player congratulations, Jessica McDonald. The following league championship, Jess 65 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:28,880 Speaker 1: had a more pressing question on her mind. Where was 66 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:33,039 Speaker 1: she going to live next month? NWSL teams at the 67 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:36,679 Speaker 1: time often provided share departments for players and sometimes housing 68 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:40,159 Speaker 1: stipends so players could find their own accommodations, but only 69 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:43,479 Speaker 1: during the season league champion or not. Just this season 70 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: was now over. So what happens is these two year 71 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 1: olds come out of college to play and they're hoping 72 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:51,080 Speaker 1: to get caught up to the USA camp. Dan Rockaway 73 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:53,599 Speaker 1: was as surprised as many of the players the first 74 00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:57,520 Speaker 1: time he learned about their pay scale. During that championship season, 75 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 1: Jess said she was paid roughly thirty doll lars And 76 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 1: when I found out that they usually have to get 77 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:06,480 Speaker 1: other jobs, and I was like, how can these people 78 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 1: pay this much? This is ridiculous. It could be easy 79 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:14,839 Speaker 1: to paint the NWSL is stingy, especially in its early years. 80 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:17,479 Speaker 1: Certainly no one claims it's good that the pro athletes 81 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:19,480 Speaker 1: are working second jobs in the off season to make 82 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 1: ends meet. And especially for a single mom like Jess 83 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:25,479 Speaker 1: who was dependent on her nws L pay because she 84 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 1: wasn't on the national team roster, those concerns are valid. 85 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 1: I was worried if I was even going to be 86 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:34,760 Speaker 1: able to feed my kids without you know, having to 87 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:37,839 Speaker 1: worry about finances at the end of the month. You know, 88 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:40,239 Speaker 1: oh gosh, what are we gonna do this last week. 89 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: But to be fair, there is another valid consideration here, 90 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:49,800 Speaker 1: and that's the general solvency of the league. So historically 91 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 1: US Soccer supported the NWUSL very substantially, including substantial financial 92 00:05:56,560 --> 00:06:00,800 Speaker 1: assistance and other administrative support. Uh and that was really 93 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 1: instrumental in starting the NWSL. And Jamie Wine is a 94 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 1: partner at the law firm of Latham and Watkins. She's 95 00:06:08,839 --> 00:06:12,919 Speaker 1: represented the US Soccer Federation since and so in the 96 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:17,040 Speaker 1: early years, US Soccer support for the nwus L, I 97 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:20,839 Speaker 1: think amounted to more than twenty million dollars, which was 98 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:24,599 Speaker 1: comprised of, you know, paying salaries to all of the 99 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 1: US women's national team players who were allocated to play 100 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:30,800 Speaker 1: in the end of us L up to a certain 101 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 1: number of players. I think it was twenty two and 102 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:35,320 Speaker 1: that was in addition to the salary that they were 103 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:38,200 Speaker 1: getting for being women's national team players, and so there 104 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:43,960 Speaker 1: was significant financial support. A large part of the nwsl 105 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 1: stability as a league can be attributed to that financial 106 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:50,280 Speaker 1: support from US Soccer. The w U s A and 107 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 1: WPS before it didn't have the same support, and it's 108 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 1: clear where those leagues ended up. The NWSL has long 109 00:06:57,680 --> 00:07:01,359 Speaker 1: operated with what might feel like ruthless financial efficiency, but 110 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:05,159 Speaker 1: at least it still operates. There were some basically failed 111 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:08,040 Speaker 1: attempts to have a women's soccer league in the US, 112 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:12,360 Speaker 1: and US Soccer was really the supportive of setting up 113 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: a league that would be able to thrive so that 114 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 1: the women's national players would have a league to play 115 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 1: in in the U S and and not have to 116 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 1: go outside of the country to play professionally if they 117 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: didn't want to. The NWSL didn't have a player's association 118 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: until and when jess stepped off the plane in Rowly 119 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:35,200 Speaker 1: a year later, Championship Game MVP trophy in hand. Congratulations 120 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 1: Jessica McDonald. The League still hadn't legally recognized the players union, 121 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 1: and as Jess was grambling to figure out where she 122 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 1: and her son would live for the coming months, the 123 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 1: news got better or worse, or at least a little 124 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 1: more complicated. End of October, I get an email from 125 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:55,559 Speaker 1: the national team saying that I got invited into November camp, 126 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 1: which is a two week camp in Portugal. Obviously, that 127 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 1: was an mediate yes from me. Jess was getting another 128 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 1: shot and making the national team. That congratulatory text from 129 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 1: Joe Ellis suddenly seemed like the start of something big, 130 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 1: But Jeremiah was starting something big as well. Elementary school. 131 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 1: I had to think about Jeremiah. Though he's in school 132 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 1: full time, he's in the first grade. During that time, 133 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 1: I couldn't bring him in Portugal for two weeks because 134 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 1: he couldn't miss school, and I'm a single mom here 135 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 1: in North Carolina, had no family here, like a crap. 136 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:32,240 Speaker 1: What Jess and Jeremiah did have, however, was the Rockaways, 137 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 1: and they had a guest room for Jess and even 138 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:37,040 Speaker 1: a home office they could turn into a room fit 139 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 1: for a six year old. I remember her saying, I 140 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:41,960 Speaker 1: got called up like I called out. This is great. 141 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 1: I'm just talking to them at dinner, family dinner, and 142 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 1: it's two weeks of Portugal. But like the stuff with Jeremiah, 143 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 1: you know, blah blah blah, We're like, okay, so you 144 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 1: just come and live with us until your next season 145 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:55,319 Speaker 1: begin right then, and they are Dan was just like, 146 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:57,760 Speaker 1: we love you guys. You guys are over all the time. Anyway, 147 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:02,679 Speaker 1: we love Jeremiah. Go worry about Jeremiah. Go like, make 148 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:05,559 Speaker 1: the World Cup team, this is huge. Let us help you, 149 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 1: and we'd fill in when you know, when she was gone, 150 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:09,839 Speaker 1: we'd fill in her role. I was like, okay, I 151 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:12,439 Speaker 1: didn't even hesitate. I was like, absolutely so Jeremiah. I 152 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:16,240 Speaker 1: moved in within days and it was kind of the 153 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:20,199 Speaker 1: start of awesome stay. She stayed with us for two years. 154 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:25,600 Speaker 1: Soon Jess had a plane ticket to Portugal, Jeremiah had 155 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 1: a new house to call home, and the Rockaways devoted 156 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 1: parents of a teenage daughter, well they got a crash 157 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:35,679 Speaker 1: course and raising a little boy. We'll tell you all 158 00:09:35,720 --> 00:09:48,199 Speaker 1: about that after this. Okay, So arm Man, where to 159 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:56,840 Speaker 1: nerf gunt sleeve dren Okay, so I'm searing breedti J's son, Jeremiah, 160 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:00,199 Speaker 1: was born in. By the time they moved in with 161 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:07,320 Speaker 1: the Rockaways, Jeremiah had already lived with her in Phoenix, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Houston, 162 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 1: New York, and North Carolina. There were even a few 163 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 1: months they spent in Germany during one of Jesse's off seasons, 164 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 1: when she earned extra money playing for a club there 165 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:25,079 Speaker 1: as opposed to packing boxes at Amazon. Oh Yeah. In 166 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 1: this video from Twitter, jeremiahs dressed head to toe in 167 00:10:28,280 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 1: a black Miles Morales Spider Man suit, and he's diving 168 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: behind half walls at home while he addressed by her 169 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:41,120 Speaker 1: nerve gun darts of each other. For one of our 170 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:44,520 Speaker 1: final interviews for this podcast, Jess and Jeremiah invited me 171 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 1: into their home. On this day, Jeremiah wasn't dressed as 172 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 1: Spider Man or Batman, but rather toothless the Dragon in 173 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 1: jeans and a black hoodie adorned with little ears and 174 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 1: big yellow eyes. At almost five feet tall already, Jeremiah 175 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:01,959 Speaker 1: seems to have been here to Jessice height and in 176 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:04,760 Speaker 1: almost every other way I could see he's very much 177 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 1: his mother's son. We've definitely had a lot of fun 178 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:12,560 Speaker 1: together and we're trying to make it to the goal 179 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 1: where we can travel all around the world. Jeremiah was 180 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:20,600 Speaker 1: relaxed when I spoke with him, and almost philosophical at times, 181 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:23,440 Speaker 1: but just told me not to be fooled. He's got 182 00:11:23,520 --> 00:11:26,560 Speaker 1: her raw competitive edge, and the quality time they spend 183 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:31,480 Speaker 1: together is very much there's together. We read most nights 184 00:11:31,880 --> 00:11:35,840 Speaker 1: before bedtime. Jeremiah could barely hold it together because Jess 185 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 1: told me a favorite story from a while ago, reading 186 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:42,079 Speaker 1: a book and he just rips a little fart and 187 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:49,360 Speaker 1: we both just bust that laughing, and I just like kid, 188 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:57,680 Speaker 1: And he's like on his bed crying, laughing, crazy weird, 189 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 1: like normal family moments where this kid will just do 190 00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 1: something unexpectedly and then he bust out laughing. I really 191 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:12,679 Speaker 1: think I have a class clown on my hands. Back 192 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:16,679 Speaker 1: when Jess and Jeremiah moved in with the Rockaways, it 193 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:19,800 Speaker 1: was an adjustment for everyone and then't another new home 194 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:24,000 Speaker 1: for Jeremiah, a new school and new chores like setting 195 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:27,280 Speaker 1: the table for dinner every night. Maybe more than anything 196 00:12:27,720 --> 00:12:30,680 Speaker 1: they're at the Rockaways, he effectively had a new big sister. 197 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,400 Speaker 1: At first, Jeremiah did not like new additions to his 198 00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:36,439 Speaker 1: family and the idea that he had to share his 199 00:12:36,559 --> 00:12:39,400 Speaker 1: mom with us, and we are eight years apart, so 200 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 1: it was difficult finding similarities to bond over. Isabel Rockaway 201 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 1: is eighteen years old and has been fine tuning her 202 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 1: essays for college applications. Here she's reading me one of 203 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:53,040 Speaker 1: her admissions essays. It took Jeremiah and me a few 204 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:56,120 Speaker 1: months of ups and downs before he formed a stolid relationship, 205 00:12:56,800 --> 00:13:00,839 Speaker 1: but eventually Jeremiah became my other half. Isabel told me 206 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 1: she bridged that gap when she discovered just how persuasive 207 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:07,600 Speaker 1: legos and ice cream can be. Meanwhile, has just prepared 208 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:10,960 Speaker 1: for another national team camp in Portugal. Dan and Murder 209 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:15,079 Speaker 1: Rockaway suddenly had something like a son and someone jumping 210 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:20,280 Speaker 1: on their couch. Well, we have a daughter, and having 211 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 1: a boy is completely different. So when Jeremiah came, we 212 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:26,480 Speaker 1: had to get used to the flying down the steps 213 00:13:26,559 --> 00:13:30,480 Speaker 1: in your butt, farting, I mean, you name it. Little 214 00:13:30,559 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: boys do that and that's normal and we weren't used to, 215 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:35,640 Speaker 1: so we had a job. Of course, it's hard for 216 00:13:35,679 --> 00:13:37,319 Speaker 1: a six year old when their mom is away for 217 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:40,680 Speaker 1: a few days, much less a few weeks. There are 218 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,760 Speaker 1: often tears from both Jess and Jeremiah when she heads 219 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 1: to the airport, even justic Away games, and they generally 220 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 1: faced time every day she's on the road. I would 221 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:54,440 Speaker 1: talk to jess right now he's reading these books if 222 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:57,080 Speaker 1: you see interested in these in that so she will 223 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 1: always see use of these pieces of information to just 224 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:04,120 Speaker 1: connect with him. He said, well, Jeremiah, I know you're 225 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:08,839 Speaker 1: learning about sliders. And then how did you know. Marda 226 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:11,760 Speaker 1: Rockaway's parents still live in her native Columbia, so she 227 00:14:11,920 --> 00:14:14,080 Speaker 1: knows how hard it is to be separated from family. 228 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:17,520 Speaker 1: I think that that was careful in a way, just 229 00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 1: understanding that he was sad, validating his feelings about messing 230 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:25,560 Speaker 1: his mom. And we were not like, oh, don't worry 231 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 1: about that. We were like, oh, we understand, we know 232 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 1: you're very sad. Marta Rockaway told me she knew Jeremiah 233 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:34,680 Speaker 1: had turned a corner the first time she went to 234 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 1: get him up in the morning and found that he 235 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:39,160 Speaker 1: wasn't in his room. He decided to sleep in his 236 00:14:39,160 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 1: spell's room with her, and as Jeremiah became more comfortable there, 237 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:46,040 Speaker 1: the Rockaways saw another trait Jeremiah had inherited from his mom, 238 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 1: protectiveness for those he cares about. When Jeremiah like and 239 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 1: I got really closed. Jeremiah would always start sticking up 240 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:56,200 Speaker 1: for me like a little brother. It was so cute, 241 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:59,400 Speaker 1: Isabel Rockaway. I would talk about something that I would 242 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:01,200 Speaker 1: want to do and stuff, and parents would be like, oh, 243 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:03,240 Speaker 1: like you know, like you can't do that or something. 244 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 1: Jeremia would be like, oh, yes, she can, like she 245 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:07,400 Speaker 1: can do whatever she wants, and he would always like 246 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:10,120 Speaker 1: stick up for me. It don't be so cute. We'd 247 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 1: always had each other's backs. Jeremiah has become a minor 248 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 1: celebrity in his own right, addresses games, TV cameras, love 249 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 1: a child dressed like Batman, and you can sometimes catch 250 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:26,040 Speaker 1: jeremiahssigning autographs of his own after the game, and he 251 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: clearly has a sense of the larger conversations happening off 252 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:31,440 Speaker 1: the field too, even if his scale is a little 253 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 1: bit off. I would definitely wish that each soccer game 254 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:40,520 Speaker 1: she does, she would get also equal pay, and after 255 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 1: that to get a thousand dollars. These days, Jeremiah plays 256 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 1: a variety of sports, just like his mom did at 257 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 1: this age, and he enjoyed telling me about karate and 258 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: what he described as the ninja kick he'd recently learned, 259 00:15:57,080 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 1: but it's possible Jeremiah's gifts might ultimately end up being 260 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:04,360 Speaker 1: more intellectual. It's very fun to learn about maths and 261 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:08,960 Speaker 1: traction and division. Jeremiah has already been through roadblocks phase, 262 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 1: and he told me he now has a new favorite 263 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:15,760 Speaker 1: activity like speed Cuber game. It's like it teaches you 264 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 1: how to like solvers cube and then once you learn, 265 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 1: then you can solveis cube and become a speed cuber. 266 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 1: He's not kidding about that. This eleven second video just 267 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 1: posted online shows Jeremiah at home with a scrambled Rubik's 268 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:35,520 Speaker 1: Cube in hand. What and a clever mind at work. 269 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 1: Let me see all the sides, Show me all the sides. 270 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 1: He smiles at the camera, a finished cube in his 271 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 1: tiny hand. What. Over his young life, Jeremiah has proven 272 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:49,640 Speaker 1: to be as adaptable as his mother, and he was 273 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:52,520 Speaker 1: again in late has just turned her focus to a 274 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:57,040 Speaker 1: new national team camp. But as Jeremiah gets older, family dinners, 275 00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 1: the bedtime stories and showing off with the Rubik's Cube 276 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:04,359 Speaker 1: only go so far over FaceTime. Jess knows she's not 277 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 1: the only one who's given a lot for her career. 278 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:10,560 Speaker 1: He's such an easy going kid. When I know my 279 00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:12,760 Speaker 1: kids good, My career is going to be good. So 280 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:15,440 Speaker 1: I went into every camp knowing, like my kids, Okay, 281 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 1: he's he's good. He's in good hands. You know, there's 282 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:20,240 Speaker 1: obviously people that have trustled my own life obviously, and 283 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:23,720 Speaker 1: so I'm making a name for myself at this point. 284 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:27,159 Speaker 1: And you know, I'm the only mom too on the 285 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:30,480 Speaker 1: team as well, and I'm just like this outcast, is 286 00:17:30,560 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 1: underdog with chip on her shoulder. I was doing it 287 00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:36,200 Speaker 1: for my kid, doing it for the sacrifice that I 288 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:37,800 Speaker 1: was making in that moment, and I had to take 289 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:47,560 Speaker 1: advantage of that. Just seven months from next Summer's World 290 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 1: Cup in France, the US women's national team continues their 291 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 1: road to a hopeful repeat the Red, White and Blue 292 00:17:53,600 --> 00:17:58,160 Speaker 1: in search of a five in program history. Just outside 293 00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 1: Lisbon just made her trumphor returned to the pitch for 294 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:04,399 Speaker 1: the U S women's national team, Head coach Joe Ellis 295 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 1: invited twenty two players to that camp in Portugal, fifteen 296 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:09,440 Speaker 1: of whom had been playing for the national team for 297 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:12,720 Speaker 1: the past few months. Ellis was clearly narrowing in on 298 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 1: her final roster for but in that November friendly versus 299 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:19,600 Speaker 1: host Portugal, there was still a little room for experimentation. 300 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 1: NWSL fans are gonna be very excited to see Jess 301 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:26,920 Speaker 1: McDonald getting only her second cap for the United States 302 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:30,760 Speaker 1: upfront and her first start for the US as well. 303 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:33,679 Speaker 1: Jess was one of five forwards in camp and by 304 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:37,280 Speaker 1: that time was the second leading goal scorer in NWSL history. 305 00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 1: Jess had just finished that monster season as m v 306 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:43,960 Speaker 1: P in the league championship game, and Ellis was curious 307 00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:45,440 Speaker 1: to see what she could do for the Red, White 308 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:48,880 Speaker 1: and Blue, and Jeffs was determined to make it count 309 00:18:49,359 --> 00:18:52,399 Speaker 1: exactly as she'd done in that NWSL title game. She 310 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:54,320 Speaker 1: had to win the championship. She had to be the 311 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 1: m v P because there would have been a national team. 312 00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:00,320 Speaker 1: She had to Here's Phoenix College coach Dave k Ameron. 313 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:03,000 Speaker 1: I don't know if that was in her head at 314 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:05,800 Speaker 1: the time that she need to, but she made it 315 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:08,879 Speaker 1: happen and that catapulder to the national team, which she 316 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 1: still had to do something amazing. For nearly the entire 317 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:16,360 Speaker 1: first half, Portugal played the U S to a draw 318 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:21,359 Speaker 1: until in the minute US defender Crystal Dunne charged down 319 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 1: the right side of the field with the ball and 320 00:19:24,119 --> 00:19:26,800 Speaker 1: Jess sprinted through the penalty box for the goal. Done 321 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:29,960 Speaker 1: into the box, she found McDonald. What a stop McDonald again, 322 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:37,160 Speaker 1: jess ran toward the sideline and hugged on the other 323 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:39,959 Speaker 1: teammates raced over to congratulate her. It was the only 324 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:42,440 Speaker 1: goal of the friendly, and Jesse's game winner secured the 325 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 1: national team it's historic five victory. And there it is 326 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:51,680 Speaker 1: the final whistle, the US one nothing victor's the goal 327 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:59,240 Speaker 1: coming in the forty second minute from Jessica McDonald, the 328 00:19:59,320 --> 00:20:01,800 Speaker 1: game winner for five win for the nationally. She had 329 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:04,399 Speaker 1: to do little things like that. Non stopped to have 330 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:09,240 Speaker 1: the opportunity Dave Cameron, which is crazy. And then what 331 00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 1: two years before that she was homeless. She had so 332 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 1: many barriers and she got through each one of them. 333 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 1: Head coach jell Ellis continued tinkering with the roster for 334 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:22,680 Speaker 1: the following week's friendly versus Scotland. Justin didn't start that match, 335 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:25,159 Speaker 1: but she got quality minutes as a substitute in the 336 00:20:25,200 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 1: second half and the US won. That game went to nothing. 337 00:20:29,520 --> 00:20:32,440 Speaker 1: National team camp broke for the holidays, but jess was 338 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:36,640 Speaker 1: invited back in January, then again in February and March, 339 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:40,440 Speaker 1: and again in April. They were all incredible steps toward 340 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:43,560 Speaker 1: her dream of making the national team roster, though even 341 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:46,480 Speaker 1: her biggest fans in North Carolina acknowledged that stretch came 342 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:49,399 Speaker 1: with some difficulties. You know, she wasn't here for more 343 00:20:49,480 --> 00:20:51,840 Speaker 1: than a month before she started leaving for the USA 344 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:55,879 Speaker 1: camp Dan Rockaway. There were months straight that she has 345 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:58,680 Speaker 1: gone for two weeks out of the month. And that 346 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:03,040 Speaker 1: wasn't you adjustment for Jeremiah not being with his mother, 347 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:05,440 Speaker 1: and for two weeks at the time when they should 348 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:07,520 Speaker 1: go away to a game for the nw itself, for 349 00:21:07,560 --> 00:21:09,440 Speaker 1: the Courage, it would be a couple of days, but 350 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:13,000 Speaker 1: two weeks, you know, that's a long time. There's something 351 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 1: of an irony there. Jess was glad to tell me 352 00:21:15,600 --> 00:21:18,680 Speaker 1: that the US Soccer Federation treats moms well, at least 353 00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:21,240 Speaker 1: compared to the NWSL, which she says still has a 354 00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:23,640 Speaker 1: ways to go. The most amazing thing with the national 355 00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:25,720 Speaker 1: team is that they do support moms. You know, they 356 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:28,680 Speaker 1: hire nannie's during camps. You know, they fly them out, 357 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:30,960 Speaker 1: they house them, they feed them, they pay them. You know, 358 00:21:31,119 --> 00:21:35,280 Speaker 1: it's it's very supportive. That's largely a product of those 359 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:39,600 Speaker 1: original negotiations. The Acres, Boudy and Fawcets generation of players 360 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 1: back in two thousand. Each successive national team collective bargaining 361 00:21:43,359 --> 00:21:47,800 Speaker 1: agreement built on those childcare benefits. They handle everything. They 362 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 1: fly your kid out, they fly the nannie out, you know, 363 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:55,160 Speaker 1: just stress free. It's amazing. We had a talent showing 364 00:21:55,240 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 1: him your monest leaving this stay just coming this day. 365 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:01,400 Speaker 1: Like we were very con creating for explaining to him 366 00:22:01,760 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 1: the timing of all that. Marta Rockaway and she's always 367 00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:09,919 Speaker 1: telling him the truth in a way that he understands. 368 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 1: I do this because of you. I want to achieve 369 00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:16,600 Speaker 1: these goals and I want to show you all the 370 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:19,600 Speaker 1: things that I can do for you. So she explained 371 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:25,400 Speaker 1: that to him very well. By April seven, the core 372 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:27,919 Speaker 1: of the upcoming US World Cup team seems pretty well 373 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:30,800 Speaker 1: locked in, but head coach Joel ellis So had a 374 00:22:30,800 --> 00:22:34,080 Speaker 1: few key decisions to make. The US women were in 375 00:22:34,160 --> 00:22:38,960 Speaker 1: Los Angeles for a friendly against Belgium. Julie Thoughty, Joy, Fawcett, 376 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:42,440 Speaker 1: Brandy Chastain, many of the famous ninety nine were back 377 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:45,080 Speaker 1: in the city where they became legends, cheering on the 378 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:47,600 Speaker 1: current squad in the team's final game before Ellis would 379 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:53,119 Speaker 1: announce her World Cup roster. Jessica McDonald playing it, and 380 00:22:53,359 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 1: she has been at the professional level and WUSL I 381 00:22:57,080 --> 00:23:00,040 Speaker 1: thought he was in the booth for ESPN. Great in 382 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:04,240 Speaker 1: the air, she's strong, she's fast, and finally getting her 383 00:23:04,359 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 1: look at possibly going to her first Women's World Cup. 384 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:10,720 Speaker 1: Jess entered that game against Belgium in the sixty one 385 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:14,119 Speaker 1: minute and the US was in control throughout. In the 386 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:16,720 Speaker 1: final minutes, Kristin Press lined up a free kick well 387 00:23:16,720 --> 00:23:19,639 Speaker 1: outside the penalty box, and jest did what she had 388 00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 1: done so many times in the NWSL. She fought for 389 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:24,960 Speaker 1: space in front of the goal and used her hype 390 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:28,800 Speaker 1: to her advantage for US. A clip of six is 391 00:23:28,840 --> 00:23:33,359 Speaker 1: gonna go in, Jessica McDonald, and that is exactly what 392 00:23:33,560 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 1: Jessica McDonald can bring to the game, so good on 393 00:23:36,920 --> 00:23:40,720 Speaker 1: set pieces. It was the exclamation point on a six 394 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:43,600 Speaker 1: nothing win for the Vest women's team, the final goal 395 00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:46,320 Speaker 1: anyone would score. Before Joe Ellis chose the final roster 396 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:50,760 Speaker 1: of twenty three players for the upcoming World Cup, jess 397 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:53,600 Speaker 1: headed home to North Carolina, back to those family dinners 398 00:23:53,640 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 1: at the Rockaways and those bedtime stories with Jeremiah and 399 00:23:57,119 --> 00:23:59,560 Speaker 1: the agony of wondering if her childhood dreams would ever 400 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:03,360 Speaker 1: come true. I'll never forget waiting for that phone call 401 00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:07,239 Speaker 1: at thirty one years old, waiting for Jelous to let 402 00:24:07,280 --> 00:24:08,920 Speaker 1: me know if id me the World Cup team or not. 403 00:24:12,119 --> 00:24:22,040 Speaker 1: We'll tell you about that after the break, as the 404 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:25,560 Speaker 1: North Carolina Courage began their NWSL title defense outside Raleigh. 405 00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 1: That April just seemed to be driven by the momentum 406 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:31,040 Speaker 1: of those national team camps. Beautiful night, and we are 407 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 1: ready to begin the two thousand nineteen season in the NWSL. 408 00:24:35,160 --> 00:24:37,520 Speaker 1: She scored her first goal of in the Courage is 409 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:41,600 Speaker 1: second game against the Orlando Pride. I want anox Way 410 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:44,640 Speaker 1: ray to McDonald if she carries it for the second 411 00:24:44,840 --> 00:24:49,960 Speaker 1: goal all the gning. Justin spoken recently with her grandmother 412 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,280 Speaker 1: Abbey and did her best to keep Abbey's words of 413 00:24:52,320 --> 00:24:55,760 Speaker 1: wisdom close to heart. I just told her that never 414 00:24:55,880 --> 00:25:00,040 Speaker 1: go up, stay strong, don't worry about the team me 415 00:25:00,119 --> 00:25:03,359 Speaker 1: and about it. Support him, but don't let him about 416 00:25:03,359 --> 00:25:09,280 Speaker 1: to take your joy away. But the truth was her Jets. 417 00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:13,400 Speaker 1: Despite all the NWSL games and goals, the national team 418 00:25:13,480 --> 00:25:18,840 Speaker 1: question was top of mind until that question was answered ironically, 419 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:23,640 Speaker 1: at a doctor's appointment. For the past six years, since 420 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:26,480 Speaker 1: Jesse's knee injury, the one that could have ended her career, 421 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:29,560 Speaker 1: she's made an early season visit to her team doctor. 422 00:25:30,560 --> 00:25:33,920 Speaker 1: By spring of the checkups had mostly become a formality. 423 00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:37,000 Speaker 1: We both sit down in his office and he starts 424 00:25:37,040 --> 00:25:40,440 Speaker 1: to talk. He's like, so, and my phone starts to 425 00:25:40,560 --> 00:25:43,440 Speaker 1: ring as soon as he starts to speak. Jess told 426 00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:46,560 Speaker 1: me about that doctor's appointment one day over zoom, I like, 427 00:25:46,720 --> 00:25:50,480 Speaker 1: look over, it, says Jill Ellis on my phone, and 428 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:53,440 Speaker 1: he's like, do you need to get that? And I 429 00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:55,000 Speaker 1: was like, yeah, I need to take it. He's like 430 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:58,199 Speaker 1: go ahead, and you know, I'm away, and I answered 431 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:02,760 Speaker 1: the phone. I'm like hey. As Jess remembers it, Ellis 432 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:06,840 Speaker 1: offered a few pleasantries and then at last, do you 433 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:08,320 Speaker 1: want to hear your answer? And I was like yeah. 434 00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:14,880 Speaker 1: She was like you're going to the World Cup. And immediately, y'all, 435 00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:18,200 Speaker 1: I'm bawling crying and she's still talking and I have 436 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:20,159 Speaker 1: no idea what she's saying cause I'm too busy, like 437 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:24,760 Speaker 1: ugly crying. She was just like congratulations, Like go hug 438 00:26:24,800 --> 00:26:27,879 Speaker 1: your boy, go ahead and tell your family. I remember 439 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:29,879 Speaker 1: telling me like, this is like one of my favorite 440 00:26:29,920 --> 00:26:33,440 Speaker 1: things about my job is hearing your reaction, and she 441 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:36,560 Speaker 1: was like, you know, you have an incredible journey, totally 442 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:42,959 Speaker 1: deserved to be here. Congratulations. Once more, it seemed Jess's 443 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:46,000 Speaker 1: life had changed. In a doctor's office. She got a 444 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:48,240 Speaker 1: quick hug and a thumbs up from the dock and 445 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:51,080 Speaker 1: he told her to go celebrate. She made her walk 446 00:26:51,119 --> 00:26:53,719 Speaker 1: back through that office. Jess was in better shape physically 447 00:26:53,880 --> 00:26:58,840 Speaker 1: and emotionally. I'm like walking out of his office bawling, crying, 448 00:26:59,040 --> 00:27:02,760 Speaker 1: can't even catch my breath, and you know, people at 449 00:27:02,840 --> 00:27:05,200 Speaker 1: his office. One woman was like, it's gonna be okay, 450 00:27:05,480 --> 00:27:07,840 Speaker 1: like you're okay. She didn't know what was happening. Obviously 451 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:10,960 Speaker 1: I'm crying and she was like, oh, plenty, it's kidding, 452 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 1: be okay, like you're fine. I was like, no, looking 453 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:18,920 Speaker 1: at I will never forget that Drek. Jesse's first call 454 00:27:19,040 --> 00:27:22,479 Speaker 1: was almost a given her grandmother Abby, who didn't pick up. 455 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:25,240 Speaker 1: Jess later found out Abby was soaking in a bath 456 00:27:25,320 --> 00:27:28,000 Speaker 1: at the time, which means the first person she told 457 00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:31,360 Speaker 1: was Dan Rockaway on a teary FaceTime from the parking lot, 458 00:27:32,720 --> 00:27:35,560 Speaker 1: then just called her brother and then Dave Cameron back 459 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:39,280 Speaker 1: in Phoenix and immediately she's like, I'm like, what the 460 00:27:39,440 --> 00:27:42,199 Speaker 1: are you okay? I'm like, I'm thinking Jeremiah's hurt. I'm 461 00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:44,520 Speaker 1: like I didn't know what's going on. And she's just 462 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:47,359 Speaker 1: like bawling. I'm like, hold on and leave my office, 463 00:27:47,400 --> 00:27:50,000 Speaker 1: give me a second, you know, And I'm like it 464 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:52,119 Speaker 1: was just like, what's wrong? And I'm like, I mean, 465 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:54,840 Speaker 1: the world up, team Dave. And he's like, oh my gosh, 466 00:27:55,520 --> 00:27:57,760 Speaker 1: you know, to deal what she's dealt with and and 467 00:27:57,920 --> 00:28:00,600 Speaker 1: keep her emotions and check where I'll just cry right here. 468 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:03,640 Speaker 1: She's made differently and you don't see Dave. Dave doesn't 469 00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:06,199 Speaker 1: get emotional, but you know, it's it was really important 470 00:28:07,080 --> 00:28:09,840 Speaker 1: during the interview we did with him and just talking about, yeah, 471 00:28:11,720 --> 00:28:13,359 Speaker 1: Dave is a huge part of my journey, and I 472 00:28:13,440 --> 00:28:15,960 Speaker 1: don't think he realizes that how big of a part 473 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:19,359 Speaker 1: he has played. Even if she didn't make it, she 474 00:28:19,400 --> 00:28:22,639 Speaker 1: would be fine. She can deal with adversity. She can 475 00:28:22,720 --> 00:28:25,600 Speaker 1: deal with those things. So's your qualities. Ide don't understand 476 00:28:25,640 --> 00:28:28,640 Speaker 1: how she got because she comes from a broken home 477 00:28:28,760 --> 00:28:31,840 Speaker 1: and stuff that just doesn't make sense. That's why it's 478 00:28:31,880 --> 00:28:36,919 Speaker 1: good to have unattainable goals, so you like recently get up. 479 00:28:37,119 --> 00:28:40,360 Speaker 1: You know. About an hour later, I just got a 480 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:44,720 Speaker 1: call back from Mabby, oh grandmother. This woman. She was like, oh, 481 00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:46,719 Speaker 1: I knew it. Oh I knew And I'm like, all 482 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 1: you did, because I didn't know. I wish you would 483 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:52,240 Speaker 1: have told me. She she spoke with just so much confidence, 484 00:28:52,360 --> 00:28:55,040 Speaker 1: and I remember us saying a prayer on the phone. 485 00:28:55,080 --> 00:28:57,320 Speaker 1: She said a prayer for me, and she was just like, 486 00:28:57,400 --> 00:28:59,800 Speaker 1: I'm proud of your daughter. She calls me daughter, which 487 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:02,440 Speaker 1: you know I pretty much I am, and so I 488 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:05,000 Speaker 1: remember those words coming out and she's just, I'm I'm 489 00:29:05,040 --> 00:29:06,560 Speaker 1: proud of your daughter. I knew it. I knew it 490 00:29:06,640 --> 00:29:08,680 Speaker 1: was going to happen, you know, like God's blessed you 491 00:29:09,320 --> 00:29:12,880 Speaker 1: your whole life and you deserve it. And yeah, we 492 00:29:13,080 --> 00:29:14,920 Speaker 1: we left it at that. It was. That was a 493 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:18,840 Speaker 1: beautiful phone call. A few days later, Jill Ellis held 494 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:21,320 Speaker 1: a press conference to announce the twenty three woman World 495 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:25,800 Speaker 1: Cup roster. There, she said of Jazz quote, she's got 496 00:29:25,840 --> 00:29:28,120 Speaker 1: a nose for the goal, She's fantastic in the air. 497 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:30,719 Speaker 1: Seeing her in those big games last year also made 498 00:29:30,760 --> 00:29:33,600 Speaker 1: me recognize and acknowledge that in big games, this player 499 00:29:33,640 --> 00:29:37,880 Speaker 1: shows up. The World Cup being played that year in France, 500 00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:40,880 Speaker 1: would begin a few weeks later on the horizons that 501 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:44,160 Speaker 1: everything Jess had given so much for and Jeremiah had 502 00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:47,880 Speaker 1: to in his own way. As Jess told me the 503 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:50,520 Speaker 1: story about the doctor's office, I was reminded of a 504 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:52,440 Speaker 1: moment in their home and photos I had seen of 505 00:29:52,520 --> 00:29:56,000 Speaker 1: Jeremiah from a few years back. Those pictures showed him 506 00:29:56,000 --> 00:29:58,560 Speaker 1: with the Carolina blue cast covering his right forearm and wrist, 507 00:29:59,440 --> 00:30:01,840 Speaker 1: a testament to one of those tree climbing adventures gone wrong. 508 00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:04,640 Speaker 1: It was clear that as difficult as those past few 509 00:30:04,720 --> 00:30:06,880 Speaker 1: years had been at times, there were lessons they both 510 00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:10,360 Speaker 1: took from it. When he goes through hard times and 511 00:30:10,480 --> 00:30:13,640 Speaker 1: he comes out of it, it's like a refreshing type 512 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:15,360 Speaker 1: of feeling. Do you remember when you fill out that 513 00:30:15,440 --> 00:30:19,000 Speaker 1: dream brokeer arm? Yeah, and you said you'd never wanted 514 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:21,200 Speaker 1: to climb that tree ever again? Do you remember that? 515 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:24,080 Speaker 1: And I showed you the scar on my knee, what 516 00:30:24,280 --> 00:30:28,480 Speaker 1: soccer did to me, and that the doctors fixed me. 517 00:30:29,520 --> 00:30:32,880 Speaker 1: And I guess what I still do. You still kept 518 00:30:33,000 --> 00:30:36,840 Speaker 1: going and playing soccer exactly, and after you broke your arm? 519 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:40,360 Speaker 1: What did you do? I still kept climbing the tree 520 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:44,760 Speaker 1: and higher and even higher. We sure did. But where 521 00:30:44,800 --> 00:30:48,080 Speaker 1: their journey would go next, not even Jess could have imagined. 522 00:30:49,920 --> 00:30:55,120 Speaker 1: And on part nine of Payback, that was does equal 523 00:30:55,160 --> 00:30:58,480 Speaker 1: mean identical or does equal mean being treated in a 524 00:30:58,600 --> 00:31:02,080 Speaker 1: fair and equitable way? If you put that in different terms, 525 00:31:02,200 --> 00:31:06,280 Speaker 1: a woman in the workforce needs to be three times 526 00:31:06,360 --> 00:31:10,200 Speaker 1: as successful to make almost as much and that just 527 00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:16,040 Speaker 1: doesn't work. Thousands of people chanting equal pay. We knew 528 00:31:16,120 --> 00:31:17,960 Speaker 1: that right then and there. This is something that's going 529 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:22,880 Speaker 1: to be global. I'm Alexandrea. Payback is a production of 530 00:31:22,920 --> 00:31:26,400 Speaker 1: the Charlotte Observer, Raleigh News and Observer, McClatchy Studios, and 531 00:31:26,480 --> 00:31:31,120 Speaker 1: iHeart Radio. It's produced by Cotta Stevens, Casey Top, Julia Wall, 532 00:31:31,400 --> 00:31:35,240 Speaker 1: and Davin Coburn. The executive producer for iHeart Radio is 533 00:31:35,280 --> 00:31:38,400 Speaker 1: Sean tay Toone. For lots more on this story and 534 00:31:38,480 --> 00:31:41,680 Speaker 1: to support journalism like this, visit Charlotte Observer dot com 535 00:31:41,840 --> 00:31:47,600 Speaker 1: slash payback or News Observer dot com slash Payback, and 536 00:31:47,720 --> 00:31:50,480 Speaker 1: for more podcasts for my heart Radio, visit the i 537 00:31:50,560 --> 00:31:54,200 Speaker 1: heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to 538 00:31:54,240 --> 00:32:00,760 Speaker 1: your favorite shows. No.