36 JULY 29, 2019 OK!F
rom a distance, Megan Rapinoe — the cocaptain and star
player of the U.S. women’s soccer team — seems to have it
all. But the 34-year-old forward’s life has been riddled
with sadness. When she was just 10 years old, her beloved
older brother, Brian, was arrested for bringing meth to school.
Struggling with addiction, he went on to serve a total of 16
years in prison — eight in solitary confinement — for various
offenses. Growing up, “I worshiped him,” recalled Megan, who
watched helplessly as Brian’s life continued to spiral out of
control. “For years, Megan [was] pissed as hell,” said Brian,
“[but she] still loved me [and was] there for me.”
Today, Brian is sober and finishing up the final year of his
sentence at San Diego’s Male Community Reentry Program.
He hopes to eventually get involved in the juvenile delinquency
program so that he can help others. “I want to be like Megan
and make a difference,” shared Brian, who watched his little
sister win the 2019 World Cup on the TV in his dormitory. “I was
her hero. But now, there’s no question — Megan is mine.”DOSSIER
SECRETS & SCANDALS
U.S. WOMEN
SOCCER STARS
MEGAN’S PRIVATE PAIN
FROM A HEARTBREAKING PAST TO SHOCKING
BEHAVIOR, OK! TAKES A LOOK INSIDE THE LIVES
OF THE 2019 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP CHAMPS