“Seared in My Childhood Brain”- Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Resurfaces Iconic US Soccer Memory Alongside Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali

Published 01/14/2023, 9:57 AM EST
Alexis Ohanian, the husband of tennis star Serena Williams, is well known to US soccer fans. Reddit’s co-founder has invested in the NWSL club Angel City FC and also in Gloria Football app, recently taken over by OneFootball. The 39-year-old investor has shared on social media memories that have left an impression on him as a child.
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Ohanian shared four iconic images from four different sports. The first image is of Muhammad Ali knocking out Sonny Liston in the first round of the heavyweight championship in 1965. Ohanian added another image of a legendary touchdown run by John Riggins in 1983 during Super Bowl XVII.
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Michael Jordan’s famous dunk from the 1988 dunk contest held in Chicago also made the list of iconic pic by Ohanian. However, the fourth pic shared by the US investor caught the eye of US Soccer fans, where the USWNT star celebrated after scoring a decisive penalty kick.
Iconic Brandi Chastain in 1999 final left an impression on Ohanian
Alexis Ohanian, an ardent US women’s soccer fan recently shared iconic sports images with the caption, “Iconic images seared in my childhood brain, even tho the Ali v Liston fight happened well before I was even born (dad was a huge boxing fan) and the Riggins photo was above the dinner table.”
It was no surprise that Brandi Chastain’s celebrations in the 1999 World Cup final made a list. Ohanian has been following soccer for a long and has been striving to promote women’s soccer in the country. He thinks USWNT has made soccer popular in the country through its dominating performances.
USWNT winning the Women’s World Cup 1999 in the home country was the game changer. They took on China in the final, and the game ended in a draw after the extra time. China scored four of its five penalties, with the US scoring four out of four.
Chastain, who missed a penalty against China a few months back then stepped up for a decisive penalty. She scored the decisive penalty, giving the US their second World Cup title. USWNT star celebration after scoring is one of the iconic celebrations, leaving a long-lasting impression on many, including Ohanian.
Serena Williams once challenged Ohanian that made him invest in women’s soccer
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Williams and Ohanian were watching the 2019 Women’s World Cup final with their daughter Olympia donning Alex Morgan’s jersey. Ohanian said he wanted Olympia to pursue soccer as a career. Williams nodded in acceptance but was concerned with women not getting paid deservedly.
It was at that moment when Ohanian took the decision to change the perception of women’s soccer in the country. He got the opportunity to invest in an NWSL expansion club in 2020, and he didn’t hesitate. The Reddit co-founder invested in Angel City FC, and Williams and their daughter Olympia are also part of the ownership team.
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Watch This Story: Serena Williams Amazed at Daughter Olympia Stepping on the Soccer Field
Let us know your thoughts on USWNT’s 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign. Also, share opinions on its significance in gaining popularity for the sport in the country.