Hang Up And Listen

Can We Like Abby Wambach’s Book Without Liking Her?

Slate’s Hang Up and Listen discusses the soccer star’s memoir.

By
Former US Soccer forward Abby Wambach addresses the audience at the Watermark Conference For Women 2016 Silicon Valley at the San Jose Convention Center on April 21, 2016 in San Jose, California.
Abby Wambach addresses the audience at the Watermark Conference for Women on April 21 in San Jose, California.

Marla Aufmuth/Getty Images

For Monday’s edition of the Hang Up and Listen Slate Plus bonus segment, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss recently retired soccer star Abby Wambach’s new memoir, Forward.

In her book, Wambach admits that had a serious drug and alcohol problem for many years, one that her teammates and family knew about. So what does Stefan, a longtime Wambach critic, think of the athlete’s recent admission? Do we have to like Wambach to empathize with her story of addiction?

You can subscribe to this and other Slate Plus podcasts on our podcast subscription page.