Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm once said, “A winner is that person who gets up one more time than she is knocked down” (Hamm). Mia Hamm believes that success comes from not only hard work and determination, but also the ability to learn from failure and overcome obstacles. Mariel Margaret Hamm was born on March 17, 1972 and is one of six children. Her father, Bill Hamm, was a colonel and he was constantly being reassigned. Her family had to move frequently because of this--to California, Alabama, Virginia Texas, and other places. Her mother, Stephanie Hamm, was a ballerina and she wanted Mia to be one too. However, Mia was more interested in soccer, especially because she could play it with her older brother, Garrett. Mia Hamm became the youngest person ever to play for the women’s national team at just 15 years old. She went to college at the University of North Carolina and became a soccer icon. Hamm wrote her autobiography, "Go For The Goal: A Champion’s Guide to Winning in Soccer and Life." She also helped her brother Garrett, who had a blood disease called aplastic anemia. Mia Hamm raised $50,000 for his bone marrow transplant, and she joined the Marrow Foundation to help others. Hamm’s accomplishments make her a hero because a hero must possess confidence and selflessness. Someone with confidence has the drive and passion to achieve a goal. Being selfless means putting the team’s success first and being a positive influence on others. Mia Hamm is a hero because she shows confidence by consistently giving her greatest effort, and she demonstrates selflessness by helping those in need.

Mia Hamm taking a corner kickJohnmaxmena2 [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]Mia Hamm’s confidence empowers many people to work hard for success and persevere through obstacles. In an article by Dana R. Barnes, she mentions that Mia Hamm is a role model to young girls because of her determination to help others: “She told audiences of young girls how soccer had transformed her from shy and uncertain to confident and strong” (“Mia Hamm”). Mia Hamm is a hero and inspiration because she had the courage and persistence to face any challenges in soccer and in life. She proved that any person, girl or boy, can overcome adversity and accomplish greatness. Hamm encourages others to never give up on a goal, even if it may seem impossible to achieve. An article by Clay Latimer describes Mia Hamm’s accomplishments on and off the soccer field, and how her actions made a lasting impact: “In late 1999, Mia and her teammates threatened to stop playing for the U.S. national team. The women demanded pay equity with the players on the U.S. men's team” (Latimer). Mia Hamm showed confidence by standing up for her beliefs, even through obstacles. She spoke out, saying that women deserve equal rights, which was a huge milestone for women’s sports. It takes bravery to share this message in fear of being put down, but Hamm knew that her decisions would influence the future of women’s soccer. Through her actions, Mia Hamm inspired young girls to fight for what they believe in, despite the challenges that they might face. Hamm showed confidence and determination because she overcame hardships in order to achieve her goals.

Mia Hamm signing autographsmomovieman [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]Mia Hamm demonstrates selflessness by helping those who are struggling, and putting the team’s success before her own. Clay Latimer explains how Mia Hamm took matters into her own hands to make a difference in the world: “In 1999, Mia formed the Mia Hamm Foundation. This organization raises money for bone marrow research. The money helps doctors and scientists learn how bone marrow transplants can save lives” (Latimer). Hamm helped raise money for her brother Garrett, who suffered and eventually died from a bone marrow disease. From her experience of losing Garrett, Mia Hamm was generous enough to help others who were going through similar struggles. She supported those struggling by showing them that there is hope. By creating this foundation, Hamm used her success to contribute to society and make a positive impact in the lives of others. In her autobiography, Mia Hamm emphasizes the importance of teamwork, heart, and gratitude: “I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion” (Hamm 5). Mia Hamm made decisions based on what would benefit the team, and she put their needs before her own. She wanted to direct the attention to her teammates, whether it was passing the ball for them to score, or sharing the spotlight by recognizing their untold talents. Hamm shows appreciation to those who inspired her, and she repeatedly gave credit to the team for her successes. Mia Hamm is selfless because she assisted those in need and expresses gratitude towards others.

Mia Hamm demonstrates confidence by using her drive and perseverance to find success, and she shows selflessness by taking action to help others. She played an important role on the national team, and she became a role model for millions of young girls across the globe. Her accomplishments on and off the soccer field have influenced society in countless ways. Mia Hamm also mentioned the importance of dedication and sacrifice for the team. She always expresses gratitude towards those who inspire her and push her to be better. I look up to Mia Hamm because she made a difference in the world by spreading kindness to others. She is my hero because her words and actions have motivated me to work hard for success and never give up. We should all strive to be selfless, confident, and determined to achieve our goals. Like Mia Hamm said, “Follow your heart and make it your decision” (Hamm).

Works Consulted

Hamm, Mia, and Aaron Heifetz. Go for the Goal: A Champion's Guide to Winning in Soccer and

            Life. Quill, 2002.

Latimer, Clay. “Mia Hamm.” Mia Hamm, Jan. 2001, p. 4. EBSCOhost,

            search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=b6h&AN=7566498&site=ehost-live

"Mia Hamm." Notable Sports Figures, edited by Dana R. Barnes, Gale, 2004. Biography In

            Context,

            https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K2440301211/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=a1

            8aa8b3. Accessed 30 Apr. 2019.