When Shelby and I started Seeing Scarlet at the end of 2022, we had the privilege to learn the stories of athletes as journalists, we got to watch magic unfold team after team in record-breaking seasons, and we garnered the attention of a community of Red Raiders (and beyond) who love seeing the journey of those who maybe wouldn’t ever have a chance to let their story be heard.
I’ve always loved that about the Red Raiders. We love hearing the stories of Red Raiders growing or being supported or getting so much hype because at some point in time, we may have been told that Texas Tech is less than. We got that chip on our shoulder. We got that dog in us. And we got that “we ride at dawn” mentality. What loyalty and legacy.
At some point early in our journey of podcast/YouTube land, we started to take a dive into the history of the teams we were covering. Who were OUR trailblazers? The legacies that have such a strong hold on our community that we named a LOOP after one. What players had stories to share that were just a little too late to have the opportunity to showcase their journey? The success of Seeing Scarlet has been new and energizing, and we now have an opportunity to give the spotlight to those who made today a reality.
Janine Beckie. Truly, if you don’t know the name, you’re gonna learn today. As I sit here trying to find the combinations of words to type that truly expresses Janine’s impact, I’m met at a block. How do we begin to talk about Janine’s commitment to growing the game of soccer for the people of Lubbock during her career as a Texas Tech Red Raider in 2012-2015? Did Lubbock know we had a legend in our house who challenged program records and national recognitions?
How do we describe someone who has played OUT-OF-HER-MIND soccer year after year since she was in the youth ranks. Janine has been an impact player for the Portland Thorns, Manchester City, Sky Blue FC, Houston Dash, and our Texas Tech Red Raiders throughout her soccer career thus far...not to mention the Canadian National Team. Her athleticism, knowledge of the game and fierce execution is part of her identity as a player. She now runs the fields among the greats to ever do the damn thing and the younger generation of talent who are the future of the sport. When I see Janine’s name in their line ups, I feel such confidence in her that she truly belongs among those guardians of the game.
I ain’t gonna start listing off her stats or gold medals or how many program records have her name at the top of the list. I’m not even here to claim that she’s the best or the goat of anything right now. If you’re new here, that’s not how we roll. We are on the heels of the most exciting year for women in sports I have ever seen in the 33 years I’ve been on this floating rock. A lot of you may feel similarly.
Oh and do we have enough time to talk about Janine’s fire for advocating for change that makes the road easier for those who come after her? I could continue to ask myself questions until the cows come home, but we simply cannot waste more time without talking about Janine Beckie’s comeback season in 2024 happening RIGHT NOW.
Dude, I HATE what athletes are going through with ACL injuries. ACL injuries should be renamed to Assholes Causing Languish injuries. When players suffer from an ACL injury, I immediately think about how much work they must endure and the muscle working the hardest is going to be their brain during their recovery and return to play.
Janine Beckie suffered a torn ACL in her second match of the 2023 season. In the 19th minute, her season was over. 19 minutes is all it took for Janine to immediately embark on a physical and mental battle ground for a year. Janine talks about how the destiny for her 2023 season was going to be her best one yet, and while I don’t wanna spend time wishin’ about what could have been, my gut tells me she was so right.
Fast forward one year later and the comeback started with scoring a brace (two goals) in the first game of the season. We have an opportunity to witness a Red Raider write her own story and to come back from deep depths of an injury and everything that comes with that. This is what we make movies about.
As I sit here typing this, I have two screens filled with 7 tabs open about Janine’s career so far. Of course you’re reading the 300th edit I’ve made to this entry and I found myself met with feelings that I didn’t do Janine justice for the inspirational journey she’s been on and how magical it actually is. Is sharing this doing more harm than good?
But then I sift through those tabs, read the headlines of Janine’s demanding resources with ACL injuries for the NWSL, headlines of her being brave and challenging her workplace to be better, and Janine returning to talk to the Texas Tech Soccer program with a gold medal around her neck, etc., (she’s so damn cool) and I’m reminded that she is actively being the inspiration that she hoped she would leave with her legacy. I think a lot of people could benefit from her story and I’m stoked that Seeing Scarlet has the chance to continue to tell the story of her impact.
Now, my gut has a familiar feeling. Texas Tech got to play a part in a chapter of her story, and the beginning of this chapter of her story is already SO good. I wonder if we are witnessing the season she didn’t get to have 366 days ago. I can’t wait to root for her.
And I’m not trying to be annoying here, but Janine got injured in the 19th minute back in 2023…fast forward to 2024, she scored her first goal of this season in the 71st minute.
19 + 71 = 90.
90 minutes in a match.
Wreck ‘Em!
-Cybbi
If you enjoyed our content and would like to support our efforts to cover these teams you can do so via the link below. No sweat either way, thanks for stopping by. Wreck 'Em.❤️
Comments