Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm on the USA National team (https://www.google.com/search?q=mia+hamm&espv=2&bi (sheknows.com))

Mia Hamm is an inspiration to many youth soccer players, including myself. She was born on March 17, 1972 and is one of nine in her family, including her adopted brother Garrett. Mia was a daughter to an air force pilot which consisted of moving a lot. Her mom was a ballerina and she tried to encourage Mia to dance as well, but Mia's heart was set on soccer. When Mia was young she played on her adopted brother Garrett's team. With Mia's drive and determination she became the best women soccer player of all time! Mia Hamm is my hero for three reasons: she is humble, determined, and caring.

I admire how Mia Hamm is humble, especially for being the most well known female soccer player around the world. For example, Mia Hamm has said, "Many people say I'm the best women's soccer player in the world. I don't think so. And because of that some day I just might be." I believe it is one thing to be a great soccer player, and another to be a great soccer player and also be humble. Myself and many others not only like Mia because she is the best women's soccer player in the world, but because she is never satisfied with her performance and believes that she can always strive to get a little better everyday. "Take your victories,whatever they may be, cherish them, use them, but don't settle for them."- Mia Hamm. As Mia Hamm also said, "I am a member of a team, I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion." You can tell that Mia is a team player and not only cares about her personal performance on the field but the overall performance of the team. For example, Mia helped contribute to her team's wins in the 1996 Olympics in which they received a silver metal and the 2004 Olympics and received a gold metal. Mia scored 158 international goals, in which she still holds the second best record today. So, Mia definitely played part for the women's national soccer team.

Mia's Quote on determination (https://www.google.com/search?q=mia+hamm&espv=2&bi (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&so))

Second, I admire how Mia Hamm is also very determined. Mia's determination to be the best soccer player in the world payed off with lots of practice and repetition in drills. Mia was recognized by Chairman, a Nike founder, who said "Mia is one of three athletes that 'played at a level that added a new dimension' to their sports." For example, Mia has said, "I've worked too hard too long to let anything stand in the way of my goals. I will not let my teammates down, and I will not let myself down." As an athlete myself I realize the importance of working with the team not against them, and that we all have to have the same goal in mind, to win. Mia's determination peeked at a very young age for example she was offered to play on the women's national team at age 15 and was the youngest to ever receive the won the FIFA word cup title. Even as the youngest on her national team she has been considered the greatest female athlete in the last 40 years. Finally, Mia's determination showed when she was in college at the University of North Carolina. While attending college, she beat the record of the most goals, assists, and points. Her record still holds today! Mia's determination carried her soccer reputation at a high level. 

Mia Hamm Foundation (https://www.google.com/search?q=mia+hamm&espv=2&bi (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&so))

Lastly, I  admire how Mia is extremely caring.  Mia's adopted brother Garrett died because of a blood disorder called aplastic anemia shortly after the 1996 Olympics. After Garrett's death Mia started the Mia Hamm Foundation to help benefit bone marrow research, plus it will help with the development of more opportunities for young women in sports. Her foundation is a nonprofit national organization. She has gained many followers in the past 15 years of the organization. Mia Hamm is touching everyone with an act of kindness throughout her foundation.

Overall, Mia Hamm is my hero because she has accomplished many things throughout her career, such as, humbleness, determination, and the start of a Mia Hamm Foundation. I have been around soccer my whole life and Mia Hamm is by far my hero because of her outstanding accomplishments on and off the field. Personally, I hope for half of the success Mia Hamm had.