Destinee Hooker, U.S. Olympian, Is Extremely Proud Of Her Name


Destinee Hooker, the U.S. Olympic volleyball player whose team is currently undefeated at the time of this writing, isn’t a stranger to having individuals make fun of her name. The athlete has been dealing with people and their immature remarks since she was a child, and apparently the jokes have continued well into adulthood. However, you won’t find Destinee crying about the way people respond to her moniker. In fact, she’s very proud of it.

According to TMZ, Destinee’s name was a result of severe complications surrounding her birth. After nearly passing away at the time of her arrival in the world, her father thought the name “Destinee” was more than a little fitting considering the circumstances.

“Since I was a blessing, [my father] spelled it uniquely,” she explained to the popular gossip website. “So I am thankful to be here and glad my Dad gave me the name.”

Still, dealing with rude, insensitive comments regarding her name isn’t exclusive to her childhood; adults aren’t above having a snicker or two at the volleyball star’s expense, either. Her response to such low-brow behavior: “People can be childish.”

The 24-year-old first-time Olympian has certainly been making a name for herself during the London games. In addition to scoring 21 points during the U.S. team’s match against South Korea, Hooker recently helped the United States defeat Brazil, the country which claimed the Gold Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. During the match, Hooker finished with 23 blocks, eight spikes, and 23 points. The talents of the team will be put to the test this week when they square off against China.

Athleticism, of course, will only take you so far during the Olympics. According to ESPN, her family has been nothing but supportive in her endeavors, as evidenced by a note she received from her father one day before the opening ceremonies.

“The blessing is I see you as a little girl that has grown up into a beautiful young warrior,” the note read. “This is the time to put on your lunch pail and play the matches with your heart and soul.”

Destinee Hooker and the rest of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team will lock horns with China this Wednesday (August 1).

Share this article: Destinee Hooker, U.S. Olympian, Is Extremely Proud Of Her Name
More from Inquisitr