Sports

Abby Wambach ‘Embarrassed’ And ‘Ashamed’ After DUI Arrest

Published on: April 9, 2016 at 4:12 PM ET
Patricia Grannum
Written By Patricia Grannum
News Writer

Abby Wambach , two-time Olympic soccer gold medalist and World Cup champion, said that she was “ashamed” and embarrassed about her recent DUI arrest, USA Today reports.

Wambach made the admission at the OWN IT Summit at Georgetown University, stressing that everyone makes mistakes but no one is above taking responsibility for their actions.

Abby Wambach was the summit’s keynote and was interviewed by Norah O’Donnell, an OWN IT advisory board member and anchor on CBS This Morning.

“As a human being, you make mistakes, and it’s never about what you do in terms of that mistake,” Wambach said. “It’s about how you handle it and what you do in the moments afterwards. That’s where your character is.” Wambach refused to speak about any details regarding her arrest or court case, USA Today reports.Abby Wambach was arrested on April 3 after she neglected to stop at a red light in Portland, Oregon. The female soccer star was soon charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants. Wambach did not attend her arraignment in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Tuesday. Her attorney offered a plea of not guilty for the misdemeanor charge. USA Today reports that at the summit, Wambach urged an audience, majority of them young women, to learn from her huge misstep. She called it “teachable moment” that allows you to understand how such mistakes can seriously hurt family and friends.

“Everything you do has an impact, has a ripple effect both good and bad,” she said. “Just make sure the good column is a lot longer than the bad.”

TIME Magazine reports that Abby Wambach had previously said that the “truth” of her arrest would come out.

“I will at some point completely be transparent and the truth will come out, so trust me on that,” she said. “I hope I’m good for my word on that.” Perhaps her recent admission is the fulfilment of that promise.Abby Wambach is women’s soccer’s international all-time scoring leader. At the OWN it summit, she also admitted that she’s still coming to terms with being called a role model.”You guys might think because I play on the national team – I played on the national team; I’m still working on the past tense – that I am this superstar and whatnot,” she said during her interview. “But this is actually a really good lesson for all of you, no matter what, because you guys are going to become our next leaders, you guys are going to become the next thing for this country.

The Washington Post reports that Abby Wambach will most likely end up in a diversion program which would enable her to avoid being convicted.

The day after her arrest, Wambach made an apologetic post on her Facebook page where she took full responsibility for her actions.

“Last night I was arrested for DUII in Portland after dinner at a friend’s house.”

“Those that know me, know that I have always demanded excellence from myself. I have let myself and others down.”

“I take full responsibility for my actions. This is all on me. I promise that I will do whatever it takes to ensure that my horrible mistake is never repeated.”

“I am so sorry to my family, friends, fans and those that look to follow a better example.”

Abby Wambach is set to appear in court on April 26.

[Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images]

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